In the Twilight of His Term, Biden Greets Global Audience Weary of War and Wary of US Politics
President Joe Biden is currently on a trip to Berlin for meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European officials. This visit aims to address urgent foreign policy challenges and serve as a sort of farewell for Biden, who values alliances as a means to resolve conflicts. During his trip, Biden will engage in discussions with German President Walter Scholz and convene with leaders from the UK, France, and Germany for a ‘European Quad’ meeting to tackle global issues such as Ukraine’s strategy for victory and the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
Biden’s approach to ‘minilateralism’ has been a hallmark of his foreign policy strategy, opting for smaller coalitions rather than large global institutions. This strategy has been used to rally support for sanctions against Russia and Iran, implement tariffs and export controls against China, and invest hundreds of billions in infrastructure projects across Africa and Southeast Asia to counter China’s influence.
Despite his efforts, critics argue that Biden’s cautious approach has inadvertently encouraged continued aggression from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. However, Biden retains considerable popularity in Germany, with 63% of Germans expressing confidence in him, according to a Pew Research Center survey. His global approval ratings have seen a decline, particularly influenced by his handling of the Middle East crisis following the events of October 7, but he still fares better than Trump.
