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In a farewell speech to American diplomats at the State Department on Monday, President Joe Biden sought to bolster his legacy, focusing on the United States’ strengthened international position over his four years in office. Biden confidently claimed that the U.S. was “winning the worldwide competition” when compared to four years ago, despite global crises that remain unresolved. This speech, a part of his final diplomatic address before leaving office, highlighted the successes and challenges of his foreign policy tenure, particularly in relation to America’s position in global economics, technology, and international alliances.
Strengthened Alliances and a Weakened Adversary Landscape
Biden’s speech served to emphasize the success of his administration in fortifying the U.S.’s global alliances and partnerships, particularly within NATO. “America is stronger. Our alliances are stronger, our adversaries and competitors are weaker,” Biden stated, underscoring the strength of NATO allies now contributing more to the alliance’s funding. This is a stark contrast to former President Donald Trump’s approach, which often involved criticizing NATO members for not meeting defense spending commitments. Biden’s administration, by contrast, has worked to rebuild these alliances, positioning the U.S. as a more trusted global leader.
The president also targeted global adversaries, notably Russia, China, and Iran. Biden’s rhetoric was especially pointed when discussing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Reflecting on the Russian leadership’s early optimism, Biden mocked Vladimir Putin’s failed expectations. “When Putin invaded, he thought he’d conquer Kyiv in a matter of days,” Biden said, reinforcing his point with pride over the resilience shown by Ukraine and the significant support provided by the U.S. in the form of military aid.
U.S. Stands Strong Amid Global Crises
Despite ongoing crises, Biden asserted that the U.S. is in a much stronger position internationally than it was when he took office. He mentioned the continued support for Ukraine, which has seen billions of dollars in U.S. aid since the invasion began in 2022. The president stressed that the United States, alongside its international allies, “can’t walk away” from Ukraine, highlighting that their ongoing assistance is vital in pushing back Russian aggression.
Biden also made strong remarks about the U.S.’s economic and technological leadership in the global arena, claiming that America’s dominance will not be overtaken by China. Biden dismissed concerns over China’s rise, stating firmly, “According to the latest predictions, on China’s current course they will never surpass us — period.” His administration has worked to balance complex relations with Beijing, aiming to avoid direct conflict while managing competition in various global sectors.
Trump and Biden: A Stark Contrast in Foreign Policy Approach
In a subtle but clear reference to his political rival, Donald Trump, Biden positioned his foreign policy as one of stability and international cooperation, a stark contrast to Trump’s often unpredictable and isolationist stance. Trump had previously criticized NATO members for their defense spending and expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden mocked Putin’s invasion plans, pointing out his own high-profile visit to Kyiv in 2023 — a trip that symbolized the U.S.’s unyielding support for Ukraine.
Biden’s remarks on NATO spending also directly countered Trump’s rhetoric, which had questioned the alliance’s financial burden on the U.S. While Trump’s policies often led to tensions with U.S. allies, Biden has consistently worked to reassure and strengthen these partnerships, especially in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
Biden’s Legacy and the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy
As Biden looks ahead to his final days in office, he remains confident in the long-term success of his foreign policy initiatives. He acknowledged that there is still work to be done, particularly in areas like climate change and securing global peace, but emphasized that the U.S. is in a position of strength. Biden also defended his administration’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2021, a move that was widely criticized for its chaotic execution, stating that ending the war was the right choice, and he believes history will reflect positively on the decision.
In closing, Biden urged his successor — likely to be Trump, given his political resurgence — to continue the green energy policies he put in place, asserting that climate change deniers from the previous administration are “dead wrong.”
