Joe Biden may reestablish relations with China if former VP wins elections, says former US ambassador

Less than a month left until the November elections, and former vice president Joe Biden maintains a lead in the public opinion polls especially in several swing states. With the Democratic presidential nominee having outlined his policies should he win the elections, a former ambassador to Beijing has revealed that Biden may also reset the diplomatic relations between the US and China.

Speaking to CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia Thursday, Max Baucus, the former US ambassador to China shared that Biden may re-establish diplomatic ties with countries like China. Specifically, taking the traditional approach to foreign relations. This is despite Donald Trump and his allies trying to paint Biden as being soft on China.

“When it comes to China, I think you’ll see a bit of a reset. You will see a president who will engage in quiet diplomacy,” said Baucus. “He will not use his Twitter account to affect foreign policy. Rather it will be much more traditional.”

Baucus, who was an appointee of the Obama administration, also shared that the former vice president will be working with allies in the West while also maintaining relations in Japan, South Korea, and Australia. This would come as a big contrast to the approach taken by Donald Trump and his administration, who have appeared to isolate the US from its allies. However, before Biden would work on foreign relations, Baucus noted that he would prioritize local issues.

The former ambassador also shared that despite the sharp political rhetoric coming from both sides between Washington and Beijing, relations are a lot more sound than it appears.

Meanwhile, a partisan battle for filling in the vacant Supreme Court seat left by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg remains. While Democrats have opted for a court expansion when Republicans are keen to fill in seats to gain another Conservative in the court, Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have yet to reveal their stance on the matter. During a campaign event in Arizona, the Democratic ticket revealed that they will answer questions about a possible court expansion after elections.

“Now, look. I know it’s a great question, and y’all -- I don’t blame you for asking it. But you know the moment I answer that question, the headline in every one of your papers will be all about that,” said Biden.