Biden claims his foreign policy strategy strengthens Trump's position
The president stood by his alliance-focused foreign policy as the world gears up for a new phase of America First.
TroibNews 
President Joe Biden on Monday defended his foreign policy record as two significant foreign conflicts continue under his administration, asserting that his four years in office have strengthened America's standing in a complicated global landscape, revitalized alliances, and diminished the influence of adversaries like China and Russia.
“America is more capable, and I would argue better prepared than we’ve been in a long, long time,” Biden stated. “While our competitors and adversaries are facing stiff headwinds, and we have the wind at our back.”
During a speech at the State Department, Biden aimed to outline his foreign policy achievements for historical context and to consider his legacy. However, he acknowledged the challenges of not fulfilling his primary promise to end the trends of Trumpism and the associated America First policy, which have left longtime allies anticipating further unpredictability.
Addressing a supportive audience of aides and State Department personnel, Biden sought to cap his earlier speech delivered in the same location four years ago, where he committed to prioritizing diplomacy and democratic principles to counter autocracies, rebuild alliances, and enhance global stability.
With ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Donald Trump poised to return to the White House in just a week, he addressed the pressing circumstances, urging lawmakers, the upcoming administration, and citizens to recognize the importance of a dependable, engaged America.
“New challenges will certainly emerge in the months and years ahead,” he remarked. “But even so, it’s clear my administration is leaving the next administration with a very strong hand to play.”
Biden asserted that his foreign policy victories are “bipartisan” and benefit all Americans by creating a stronger and more secure world, seemingly appealing to Trump and Republican leaders to build on his initiatives rather than undo them.
“The United States should take full advantage of our diplomatic and geopolitical opportunities we’ve created: to keep bringing countries together, to deal with challenges posed by China, to make sure [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war ends in a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and to capitalize on a new moment for a more stable, more integrated Middle East,” he explained.
Biden indicated that he has moved beyond the stringent foreign policy framework he adopted at the start of his term, which characterized the 21st century as a struggle between autocracies and democracies. Despite attempts to highlight the continuity of his values and methods, his outlook has shifted over four years toward a more pragmatic approach, focusing on the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape while remaining rooted in the pursuit of democratic values abroad to counter Trump's more transactional, isolationist stance.
“Throughout my career, the world has undergone tremendous change. But certain things have always held true: America leads not only by the example of our power but the power of our example,” he stated. “In the past four years we’ve used that power not to go it alone but instead to bring countries together, to increase shared security and prosperity, to stand up to aggression and to solve problems through diplomacy wherever possible.”
In addition to emphasizing strengthened alliances with Europe and in the Pacific, Biden highlighted domestic investments aimed at reducing America's economic reliance on China and other nations.
While refraining from explicit criticism of Trump, Biden referenced the conditions he faced upon entering office in 2021, contending that his predecessor's tenure had weakened allies' trust in Washington and left the democratic world vulnerable amidst the pandemic, with China poised to expand its influence.
According to Biden, U.S.-China relations are now in a more stable and less confrontational state due to sustained bilateral communications, with the two countries' economies diverging. He also noted that he has secured European allies' backing for a unified approach to China, facing minimal pushback from Republicans on his strategy.
“It’s more effective to deal with China alongside our partners than going it alone,” he emphasized. “But even while we compete vigorously, we’ve managed our relationship with China responsibly so it’s never tipped over into conflict.”
Biden highlighted his direct diplomacy with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and urged Trump not to cede ground to China in artificial intelligence or to roll back American investments in clean energy intended to compete with Beijing's market ambitions.
His diplomatic efforts culminated in last year’s significant Camp David summit, where the leaders of Japan and South Korea agreed to engage after years of tensions. He also cited the AUKUS defense pact with Australia and the United Kingdom, along with “The Quad,” as additional collaborations focused on enhancing Pacific security.
One of the most notable indicators of Biden's commitment to alliances is NATO's coherence, expansion, and strengthened resolve in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Under his leadership, the alliance ratified the accession of Finland and Sweden and advanced toward the goal — set in 2014 — for member countries to spend 2% of GDP on defense, a benchmark now met by 23 of 32 nations.
While Biden claimed credit for this development, which Trump had previously urged in 2018, the increased defense spending among European nations is primarily a reaction to Putin's aggression.
Despite Biden's success in uniting the alliance, his cautious approach concerning escalating the conflict with Russia has left Ukraine in a precarious situation after nearly three years of fighting. The war-torn country's military continues to struggle to maintain territory, while Trump's inclination toward isolationism suggests a desire to negotiate terms that may favor Russia, which differs from Biden's administration's stance.
Biden pointed to a burgeoning coalition of autocrats from Moscow to Tehran and Pyongyang, asserting that these rogue states are uniting “more out of weakness than strength.” He proclaimed that the U.S. is “in a fundamentally stronger position than we were four years ago.”
Additionally, Biden sought to frame his foreign policy missteps in a more favorable light, suggesting that the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021, though disorderly, fulfilled his commitment to withdraw U.S. troops after two decades of conflict.
“It was time to end the war and bring our troops home,” he stated.
However, he did not fully address the intelligence failures that failed to predict the rapid Taliban takeover, which resulted in the frantic evacuation process in August 2021.
Biden's approval ratings suffered after the Afghanistan withdrawal, and they have not fully rebounded, leading many Americans to question the efficacy of an administration that had previously touted its experience as a cornerstone.
Speaking of his decision to withdraw troops as a choice future historians may reevaluate was his only admission of the damage that decision inflicted on his present standing.
“Ending the war was the right thing to do, and I believe history will reflect that,” Biden affirmed.
He also expressed optimism about the potential for a long-awaited hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, suggesting that persistent diplomacy can bear fruit even in difficult circumstances. Nonetheless, there is no denying that his handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict has faced political and diplomatic criticism.
Not only did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu frequently dismiss Biden's stipulated boundaries, but the president's moderate stance left him vulnerable to attacks from Trump, who accused Biden of betraying Israel. Furthermore, progressives and Arab-Americans increasingly viewed the administration's actions as complicit in what they branded a genocide against Palestinians.
“We’re on the brink of a proposal that I laid out months ago finally coming to fruition,” he said. “I have learned through many years of public service to never, ever, ever give up.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
“America is more capable, and I would argue better prepared than we’ve been in a long, long time,” Biden stated. “While our competitors and adversaries are facing stiff headwinds, and we have the wind at our back.”
During a speech at the State Department, Biden aimed to outline his foreign policy achievements for historical context and to consider his legacy. However, he acknowledged the challenges of not fulfilling his primary promise to end the trends of Trumpism and the associated America First policy, which have left longtime allies anticipating further unpredictability.
Addressing a supportive audience of aides and State Department personnel, Biden sought to cap his earlier speech delivered in the same location four years ago, where he committed to prioritizing diplomacy and democratic principles to counter autocracies, rebuild alliances, and enhance global stability.
With ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Donald Trump poised to return to the White House in just a week, he addressed the pressing circumstances, urging lawmakers, the upcoming administration, and citizens to recognize the importance of a dependable, engaged America.
“New challenges will certainly emerge in the months and years ahead,” he remarked. “But even so, it’s clear my administration is leaving the next administration with a very strong hand to play.”
Biden asserted that his foreign policy victories are “bipartisan” and benefit all Americans by creating a stronger and more secure world, seemingly appealing to Trump and Republican leaders to build on his initiatives rather than undo them.
“The United States should take full advantage of our diplomatic and geopolitical opportunities we’ve created: to keep bringing countries together, to deal with challenges posed by China, to make sure [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war ends in a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and to capitalize on a new moment for a more stable, more integrated Middle East,” he explained.
Biden indicated that he has moved beyond the stringent foreign policy framework he adopted at the start of his term, which characterized the 21st century as a struggle between autocracies and democracies. Despite attempts to highlight the continuity of his values and methods, his outlook has shifted over four years toward a more pragmatic approach, focusing on the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape while remaining rooted in the pursuit of democratic values abroad to counter Trump's more transactional, isolationist stance.
“Throughout my career, the world has undergone tremendous change. But certain things have always held true: America leads not only by the example of our power but the power of our example,” he stated. “In the past four years we’ve used that power not to go it alone but instead to bring countries together, to increase shared security and prosperity, to stand up to aggression and to solve problems through diplomacy wherever possible.”
In addition to emphasizing strengthened alliances with Europe and in the Pacific, Biden highlighted domestic investments aimed at reducing America's economic reliance on China and other nations.
While refraining from explicit criticism of Trump, Biden referenced the conditions he faced upon entering office in 2021, contending that his predecessor's tenure had weakened allies' trust in Washington and left the democratic world vulnerable amidst the pandemic, with China poised to expand its influence.
According to Biden, U.S.-China relations are now in a more stable and less confrontational state due to sustained bilateral communications, with the two countries' economies diverging. He also noted that he has secured European allies' backing for a unified approach to China, facing minimal pushback from Republicans on his strategy.
“It’s more effective to deal with China alongside our partners than going it alone,” he emphasized. “But even while we compete vigorously, we’ve managed our relationship with China responsibly so it’s never tipped over into conflict.”
Biden highlighted his direct diplomacy with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and urged Trump not to cede ground to China in artificial intelligence or to roll back American investments in clean energy intended to compete with Beijing's market ambitions.
His diplomatic efforts culminated in last year’s significant Camp David summit, where the leaders of Japan and South Korea agreed to engage after years of tensions. He also cited the AUKUS defense pact with Australia and the United Kingdom, along with “The Quad,” as additional collaborations focused on enhancing Pacific security.
One of the most notable indicators of Biden's commitment to alliances is NATO's coherence, expansion, and strengthened resolve in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Under his leadership, the alliance ratified the accession of Finland and Sweden and advanced toward the goal — set in 2014 — for member countries to spend 2% of GDP on defense, a benchmark now met by 23 of 32 nations.
While Biden claimed credit for this development, which Trump had previously urged in 2018, the increased defense spending among European nations is primarily a reaction to Putin's aggression.
Despite Biden's success in uniting the alliance, his cautious approach concerning escalating the conflict with Russia has left Ukraine in a precarious situation after nearly three years of fighting. The war-torn country's military continues to struggle to maintain territory, while Trump's inclination toward isolationism suggests a desire to negotiate terms that may favor Russia, which differs from Biden's administration's stance.
Biden pointed to a burgeoning coalition of autocrats from Moscow to Tehran and Pyongyang, asserting that these rogue states are uniting “more out of weakness than strength.” He proclaimed that the U.S. is “in a fundamentally stronger position than we were four years ago.”
Additionally, Biden sought to frame his foreign policy missteps in a more favorable light, suggesting that the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021, though disorderly, fulfilled his commitment to withdraw U.S. troops after two decades of conflict.
“It was time to end the war and bring our troops home,” he stated.
However, he did not fully address the intelligence failures that failed to predict the rapid Taliban takeover, which resulted in the frantic evacuation process in August 2021.
Biden's approval ratings suffered after the Afghanistan withdrawal, and they have not fully rebounded, leading many Americans to question the efficacy of an administration that had previously touted its experience as a cornerstone.
Speaking of his decision to withdraw troops as a choice future historians may reevaluate was his only admission of the damage that decision inflicted on his present standing.
“Ending the war was the right thing to do, and I believe history will reflect that,” Biden affirmed.
He also expressed optimism about the potential for a long-awaited hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, suggesting that persistent diplomacy can bear fruit even in difficult circumstances. Nonetheless, there is no denying that his handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict has faced political and diplomatic criticism.
Not only did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu frequently dismiss Biden's stipulated boundaries, but the president's moderate stance left him vulnerable to attacks from Trump, who accused Biden of betraying Israel. Furthermore, progressives and Arab-Americans increasingly viewed the administration's actions as complicit in what they branded a genocide against Palestinians.
“We’re on the brink of a proposal that I laid out months ago finally coming to fruition,” he said. “I have learned through many years of public service to never, ever, ever give up.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
