The "Smooth Relations" Trap: Why the Biden Administration Must Adopt a Firm Realism Toward China
The presidential transition in Washington carries immense geostrategic significance, particularly as the United States re-evaluates its relationship with China. This complex file serves as a primary test for the policy architects of the incoming administration of Joseph R. Biden Jr., raising vital questions about how Washington should navigate Beijing’s ambitions to reshape the international order. Between Structural Realism and the Illusion of Smooth Relations Structural realism in international relations demonstrates that the rise of a revisionist power—such as China—fundamentally alters the global balance of power, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. Beijing is attempting to exploit the transitional period by offering a formula to "reset" tensions stemming from the approach of the Donald Trump administration. The Chinese proposal relies on isolating core contentious issues—such as industrial espionage, state subsidies, human rights violations, and cybersecurity—in ...