'On February 4, in his first major foreign policy speech as president, Joe Biden declared: “America is back. Diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy.” '

'President Biden’s treatment of China in his first foreign policy address signaled that he views China as a central challenge, but not a burning issue that eclipses all other concerns.'

• 'Biden embedded discussion of China within his survey of risks and opportunities on the international horizon.'
• 'Biden emphasized that China poses significant challenges to America’s interests and values.'

'To respond effectively, Biden argued, America will need to rebuild leverage, e.g., by pursuing domestic renewal, investing in alliances, reestablishing U.S. leadership on the world stage, and restoring American authority in advocating for universal values.'

• 'Such an approach marks a departure from the previous administration’s framing of U.S.-China relations as an ideological and Manichean good vs. evil struggle.'

'Biden clearly has no qualms about pushing back firmly against China, but he signaled that he intends to do so purposefully, with an eye toward advancing American interests.'

• 'This includes cooperating with competitors when it is in America’s interests to do so.'

'Even as it will take time for this shift in approach to take expression in specific policies and actions, there should be little doubt that President Biden and his team have their own views of how the United States can outcompete China.'

• 'Much of their work will focus on efforts at home, with allies, and on the world stage.'

'The shifts may be subtle and may not generate daily headlines.'

• 'But with Biden’s speech, a course correction on China policy appears to be underway.'