US Presidential Election: Debate a Strategy for Protecting World Order

Ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 3, the Democratic Party has formally nominated former Vice President Joe Biden as its presidential nominee.

President Donald Trump awaits the Republican National Convention, which starts on Aug. 24, where he will criticize the promises Biden has made. The election is less than 80 days away and the campaign is entering its decisive phase.

Thanks to the rise of authoritarianism backed by China and Russia, and, in particular, the political repression that recently occurred in Hong Kong, freedom and democracy face a direct crisis.

In the midst of this, the sense of leadership from America is debatable. As it is now uncertain if it will be the country that leads the world against COVID-19 and through the aftermath of the pandemic, we would like to draw attention to America’s choice.

We would like to ask Biden, who has become the official nominee, about his basic position regarding China, which expands America’s pursuit of hegemony, and whether he is determined to take steps to counter that in solidarity with allied and friendly countries.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appealed for a new alliance structure of democracies to contest autocracy, citing the failure of President Barack Obama’s administration to do so with China. This perception of reality and trends is correct.

Biden has responded to the viciously anti-China climate by taking a tough line, but he cannot evade responsibility for the previous administration allowing China to construct artificial islands in the South China Sea. It has also been pointed out that the Democrats have a half-hearted policy regarding Taiwan, which is battling pressure to reunify with the mainland.

Biden has also said we must not “[fall] into the trap of a new Cold War.” He must clearly articulate his strategy against China.

Trump is reportedly letting Biden take the lead with regard to popularity.

The reason is clear. Trump’s policies toward the new coronavirus have caused more infection and death in America than anywhere else in the world. From the beginning, the response has been inconsistent, and expert advice was not seriously considered. Trump must suppress the spread of infection to regain support.

Trump has taken a stridently anti-China posture, but he also keeps slighting allied and friendly countries. It is troubling that he is so wrapped up in putting America first that he has forgotten America’s important role as leader of the democratic world.

Is America able to play a consistent guiding role in maintaining its military supremacy in the Asia-Pacific and building a net around China? We want both candidates to recognize that this will be the biggest issue in determining the trajectory of the post-pandemic world order and to embark on a realistic debate about it.