The U.S. champions democracy and freedom. It is commendable that President Joe Biden has vigorously promoted these values. However, his strong, inward-looking approach, prioritizing national interests, has stirred unease among some observers.
In his State of the Union address to Congress, President Biden outlined his policy priorities for the upcoming year. He sharply criticized former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, drawing clear lines of confrontation.
Biden condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 presidential election results, declaring that “freedom and democracy are under attack — both at home and overseas at the very same time.”
Biden reasonably sought Republican support to pass a budget that ensures continued aid to Ukraine, and argued that halting support would endanger Ukraine and beyond.
The presence of the Swedish prime minister, whose country is the newest member of NATO underscored the contrast with Trump, who proposed that the U.S. might withhold support to NATO members who did not meet defense spending targets. This difference from Trump likely reassured European allies.
Biden’s consistent protectionist position on industrial and trade policies is a point of concern, as evidenced by his praise of the “Buy America” act that prioritizes domestic products. Moreover, Biden highlighted the reduction of the trade deficit with China, echoing a sentiment commonly associated with Trump.
While Biden and Trump’s visions for the United States’ role in global security and democracy differ markedly, their economic policies share a common thread of prioritizing the country’s interests. If Biden wins reelection, we can expect such policies to persist.
It is encouraging that Biden talked about strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. However, as a nation that thrives on trade, Japan faces the challenge of safeguarding free trade despite America’s potential hesitance to do so.
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