2020 brought unpredictable twists to the world, and global leaders were put to the test. Though the challenges brought on by COVID-19 have yet to subside, some positive changes were brought forth by the obstacles presented in the past 12 months.

Joe Biden’s hope for reasserting American leadership in Southeast Asia will face growing challenges, not only from China but also a skeptical audience in the region.

President Biden recently gave his first speech on foreign policy after assuming office. While his speech focused more on competition with China, both China and the U.S. must establish ways to cooperate in order to co-exist.

In India, the United States finds a South Asian partner that shares grievances with China. However, by viewing India only on the plane of conflict with China, the U.S. lacks a long-term path toward building a productive relationship with the world’s second most populous nation.

In the shadow of the most aggressively anti-China president in recent memory, there is much work to be done to repair the relationship between not just China-U.S. leaders, but between the citizens they’ve turned against each other in their respective countries.

Attempts to overturn ideological differences between China and the United States will not solve any of the challenges that lie in their bilateral relationship.

One of the Trump administration’s most widely touted projects, and least understood, is the trade war with China. Despite the grand rhetoric and lofty promises made to the American people, the escalating taxation on trade is increasing the burden on the already strained American consumer.

While some anticipated a “reset” of U.S.-China relations with the new Biden administration, this does not seem to be the case. Early signs reveal considerable continuity with the previous Trump administration, although some changes in tactics can be anticipated.

Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping held their first call since Biden took office.

The early Biden administration’s buzzword is “strategic competition” when it comes to China. Yet, with a litany of domestic problems at hand, true diplomacy may be sidelined, or worse, sacrificed to retain a positive outlook for Joe Biden’s domestic agenda.