On the threshold of a new world order and a new China-U.S. reality, if we have not seen a clear path ahead for the bilateral ties, we might turn to history for some guide.

Instead of transactional trade agreements, Biden’s China policy seems to seek concrete change in Beijing’s behavior. With a transatlantic divide between the US and Europe, it might be difficult to sway certain European countries into siding with Washington over Beijing.

A new U.S. policy will emerge in the South China Sea, but only slowly. After his inauguration Biden will pick up where Obama left off, but adding new strategic wrinkles as the U.S. enlists other countries to play its game.

The resumption of talks between China and the United States should be characterized by efficiency and high quality. After many negative twists and turns in recent years, the relationship will eventually find a new model that has not been seen before.

American foreign policy tends to oscillate between inward and outward orientations. President George W. Bush was an interventionist; his successor, Barack Obama, less so. And Donald Trump was mostly non-interventionist. What should we expect from Joe Biden?

Biden has hinted that economic policy will be key to his administration’s approach to China. Industrial policy, a return to multilateralism, and coordination with allies will be used to pressure China to implement change in its domestic and international economic practice.

Stabilizing U.S.-China relations remains one of the top items on President-elect Biden’s agenda for 2021, but in order to do so mutual trust and cooperation must be restored. The incoming administration should seek to revive cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchange in order to repair the years’ worth of structural damage.

U.S. strategic goals – and the corresponding means of implementing them – will differ considerably under the Biden administration. With Biden’s stated position of willingness to use military force to protect American interests, he may present a challenge to world peace.

While pursuing cautious containment, the U.S. will want to avoid major military frictions. Biden may re-emphasize the role of military exchanges with China, which will create opportunities for military dialogue and exchanges at all levels.

The incoming Biden administration has every incentive to repair relations with China, but the biggest obstacle, more so than Trump’s actions or public opinion, may be Biden’s own election cycle rhetoric.