US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, appears to be the only sane voice who has a hold over the realities of the contemporary international scenario. Joe Biden, since attaining office has been on a spree to reverse Trump’s policies mostly out of spite. But Blinken is not sold on the idea and is trying to find a middle ground. It seems, he does not trust Biden’s plans, but under political pressure cannot fully endorse all of Trump’s policies.
From China, Iran, Afghanistan and Taiwan to Indo-Pacific, Blinken has hinted at following the policies of his predecessor Mike Pompeo. He is so in awe of the policies of the previous administration that his term can be labelled as Mike Pompeo extension term. And certifying that he is on the right path is Chinese media speculation on Blinken where it has expressed massive concern over ‘his’ policies.
Beijing officials are concerned that Blinken’s policy could also create tensions in the US-China relations. That is because Blinken recently endorsed Trump’s China policy, saying “Trump was right to take a tougher stance against China.” Chinese newspaper, The People’s Daily expressed concern that “the Biden administration cannot solve the American problem.”
Antony Blinken is also appearing to support Pompeo on the issue of Xinjiang. Pompeo said in the last days of his tenure that what China is doing in Xinjiang is “genocide.” China had expressed its opposition in a very strict vein, but Blinken supported Pompeo’s claim.
Blinken said the very next day as he took office, “I believe China has actually committed genocide against the Uighur Muslims, nothing has changed there yet. Surprisingly, earlier, there were reports that the Biden administration could reconsider the use of the word “genocide” over the Uighurs.
The Biden administration also appears to be involved in the nuclear deal, but Blinken has indicated from his statements that he will not allow Iran’s way of coming back to the nuclear deal at all! U.S. diplomats have already cleared that they will continue sanctions on Iran and that sanctions will not be lifted until Iran complies with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran demands that it will accept the terms of the nuclear deal after the first US sanctions are lifted.
Similarly, in Afghanistan, Blinken has supported the homecoming of all US troops while advancing Trump’s policy. Last month, Blinken said in a statement, “We want to end this fight forever. We want all our soldiers to come back home. We want to continue to lead the end of terrorism.” The Biden administration has already spoken of reconsidering the Taliban-US peace deal, after which there was a growing fear that Biden could work to snag the homecoming of US troops.
Blinken’s policies show the same impact of Trump’s policies, which the Chinese media itself has accepted. Biden has undoubtedly included many Chinese-related officials in his administration, but Blinken has made it clear in his early days that he will not take his foreign policy in the opposite direction of Pompeo’s foreign policy.
Antony Blinken also understands that the US State Department did a good job of keeping US enemies at bay and make meaningful alliances under the previous administration. Blinken has big shoes to fill as Secretary of State and he wants to make sure that under his tenure is seen as in the same light as Pompeo, but under political pressure, he has to search for a middle ground where he can keep the continuity of policies from the Trump era and at the same time appease his left-leaning China loving President.