The combination of populism and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the decline of the post–World War II world order. A Biden presidency will help restore a balance of powers and could help reboot globalization.
- Biden and the World – Part 1 Keeping U.S.- China Strategic Competition Under Control
- Biden and the World – Part 2: Opportunities for Africa in a U.S. Diplomatic Reboot
Despite many doubts about the U.S. election process, legal challenges, and runoffs that remain, U.S. democracy has survived its experiment with protofascism and will become stronger in the next four years. This is a boon for democratic forces worldwide, especially in Europe.
- Biden and the World – Part 3: A Chance for Europe to Pursue Greater Autonomy with U.S. Support
- Biden and the World – Part 4: Biden Can Restore Balance for Democracies
Recent developments have shown that democratically elected leaders will try to use majoritarian rule to curb freedoms, overstep constitutional limits, protect the interests of their cronies, and recycle themselves through seemingly free and fair elections.
- Biden and the World – Part 5: The Challenge of National Reconciliation and Multilateralism
- Biden and the World – Part 6: Biden Knows Central Europe and It Knows Him
Even if the Biden presidency is slowed by radical conservatism, it is expected to strike up alliances to shore up America’s international role and pressure illiberal and undemocratic leadership in other countries. This is good news for the European Union and its drive to stop the corrosive effects of authoritarian tendencies within the bloc and strengthen rule-of-law mechanisms at the supranational level.
- Biden and the World – Part 7: Japan – USA; Renewing International Cooperation
- Biden and the World – Part 8: Lingering Challenges in the U.S.-ASEAN Strategic Partnership
At the same time, Europeans should not kid themselves into believing transatlantic relations will return to the status quo ante. In all but name, the rallying cry of America First is here to stay. Biden has vowed to prioritize investment in U.S. green energy, childcare, education, and infrastructure over any new trade deals.
- Biden and the World – Part 9: Furthering the Economic Prosperity and Stability of the Gulf
- Biden and the World – Part 10: Expect a Rebalanced U.S. Middle East Policy
He has also called for expanded Buy American provisions in federal procurement, which has long been an irritant in trade relations with the EU. A Biden presidency will seek to restore America’s status as a constructive presence within multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Health Organization (WHO). That may go a long way toward restoring faith in some of the pillars of the world order that have been battered by the Donald J. Trump administration’s unabashed unilateralism.
Steven Blockmans
Director, Centre for European Policy Studies (Belgium)
