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Biden’s Late Moves on China, Russia, AI May Mostly Boost Trump

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As President Joe Biden nears the end of his term, his administration has ramped up a series of foreign policy actions aimed at challenging China and Russia while promoting advances in artificial intelligence (AI). These last-minute measures include imposing new sanctions on Russian oil producers, restricting semiconductor chip exports, and addressing Chinese shipbuilding practices, among others. However, some analysts and political strategists believe that these efforts might inadvertently strengthen the incoming Trump administration, giving it fresh leverage in future negotiations.

Biden’s Final Measures and Their Potential Impact on Trump

In a flurry of activity, Biden’s team has worked to implement significant policies just before the presidential transition. Among these, the administration has sanctioned Russian oil producers and shipping companies, restricted Chinese access to high-tech semiconductor chips, and even laid the groundwork for AI centers on federal land. Despite these moves, critics argue that Biden’s actions may ultimately benefit Donald Trump, who is set to assume office in January.

Biden’s actions may help Trump fulfill key campaign promises, such as raising tariffs on China, enhancing sanctions on Russia, and taking a more aggressive stance in foreign policy. Robert Rowland, a professor of presidential rhetoric at the University of Kansas, remarked that Biden’s push to shape his legacy in the final days may give Trump a head start. Rowland noted, “If Biden wanted to burnish his legacy, he should have been doing these things a year ago. It’s too late now.”

Strategic Actions in China and Russia

One of the key actions taken by the Biden administration was an investigation into Chinese shipbuilding practices, which concluded that Beijing’s support for its shipbuilders, forced technology transfers, and intellectual property theft put U.S. companies at a disadvantage. While Biden may take credit for addressing these issues, the findings also create a legal basis for Trump to impose higher tariffs on China, fulfilling his trade-related promises.

Similarly, Biden’s new sanctions on Russian oil, intended to provide leverage in peace negotiations, could give Trump an advantage. While the Biden administration has framed the sanctions as a way to strengthen the U.S.’s negotiating position in Ukraine, Trump’s team may be able to use this economic pressure to demand a more favorable deal with Russia. This could also place Trump in a position to manage potential political fallout, including rising oil prices and gasoline costs in the U.S., a consequence that Biden officials are hoping won’t negatively impact American consumers too severely.

Biden’s Coordination with Trump’s Transition Team

Despite political tensions, Biden’s team has made efforts to ensure a smooth transition by briefing Trump’s team on ongoing matters, including Russian sanctions, AI controls, and cyber-espionage. National security adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated that the Biden administration’s recent actions have been aimed at ensuring that Trump’s team has tools to work with once they take office. This approach appears to be part of a broader strategy by Biden’s team to set up the incoming administration for success while minimizing potential conflicts.

Long-Term Political Implications

Though Biden’s policies may be aimed at reinforcing his legacy, they may end up providing Trump with opportunities to capitalize on the situation in ways that benefit his administration’s objectives. With just days left in his presidency, Biden’s final moves may be reshaping the strategic landscape, but they may also end up strengthening Trump’s political standing on the global stage.

Trump Victory Set to Test U.S. Democratic Institutions and Global Relations

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In a historic return to the presidency, Donald Trump, 78, has regained the White House after his defeat four years prior, stirring anticipation of changes in U.S. governance and international relations. Trump’s comeback, secured with a comfortable Electoral College win and significant popular vote margin, marks a shift after a campaign marked by polarizing rhetoric and two attempts on his life. Vice President Kamala Harris, who stepped in after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July, will officially concede later in the day.

Trump’s electoral win hinged on pivotal swing states, with Wisconsin delivering the deciding electoral votes. By mid-morning, Trump led Harris with 279 electoral votes to her 223, while some states continued to tally ballots. His popular vote count also reflected a five-million-vote lead, marking a rare occurrence of a Republican winning both the Electoral College and popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004. At a victory celebration in Florida, Trump described his mandate as “unprecedented and powerful.”

The campaign underscored issues like inflation, immigration, and public safety, key areas that Trump emphasized as urgent concerns for American voters. Economic hardship, particularly among Hispanic and low-income communities, as well as rural and non-college-educated voters, contributed to Trump’s broad support. Many Americans voiced frustration with persistent inflation despite low unemployment and record stock market performance, with a majority indicating a preference for Trump’s economic policies over those of Harris.

On the global front, Trump’s victory is expected to impact trade, climate policy, and immigration, as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed optimism about Trump’s “peace through strength” stance, while Russian officials cautiously hoped his leadership might expedite conflict resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, discussing shared security concerns, including the Iranian threat. In contrast, the Palestinian group Hamas urged the U.S. to reconsider its “blind support” for Israel.

Beyond foreign policy, Trump’s second term promises to test U.S. democratic institutions, with his proposals to reduce corporate taxes, potentially rekindle trade tensions, and accelerate deportation of undocumented immigrants. He has also expressed intentions to reform civil service policies to address what he perceives as disloyalty, raising concerns among critics about political influence over federal agencies.

The Republican Party gained a Senate majority, though control of the House remains narrowly divided. Markets globally reacted positively to the election, with major stock indices and the dollar experiencing significant gains.

For Harris, her unexpected 15-week campaign fell short against Trump’s robust support base. Throughout her campaign, she warned voters of Trump’s authoritarian ambitions and posed the election as critical for safeguarding democracy. Nearly three-quarters of exit poll respondents viewed American democracy as under threat, reflecting the polarized state of the electorate. Harris’s appeals were amplified by former Trump officials, including General John Kelly, who called Trump a “fascist” in an effort to sway undecided voters.

The campaign’s heated rhetoric saw moments of violence, including two assassination attempts against Trump, which heightened concerns about political volatility. Following Biden’s departure from the race after a July debate, Harris mounted a swift campaign and rallied significant funding, but ultimately could not overcome Trump’s entrenched base and financial backing from figures like Elon Musk, who invested heavily in Trump-supporting initiatives.

With Inauguration Day set for January 20, Trump will take office alongside Vice President JD Vance. His administration is expected to include roles for prominent supporters like Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., setting a tone for a highly scrutinized presidency that will likely further intensify political divides across the nation.