* U.S. President Joe Biden had a busy week in Europe--the first overseas trip since taking over the White House on January 20. From the G7 meeting to the first US-Russia Summit since July 2018, he wanted to reassure European allies that "America is back" and the trans-Atlantic partnership is as strong as ever. However, before the U.S. can restore trust and reassert its influence in international affairs, Washington has to make sure that allies and partners--past, present, and future ones--are on board and it is not alone.
* Four years of Donald Trump have left lasting imprints that undermined U.S. trustworthiness which won't be erased overnight. Doubts will linger as things have changed--in big and small ways--on the international scene. Coupled with the comprehensive rise of China, it is no longer an unipolar world.
* Biden and his advisors know that China remains the top priority, and the U.S. needs to regroup and regain the trust of allies before moving forward in unison is possible. In addition, the complexity of the US-China relations should caution policymakers to "pick and choose" its battles carefully. Altered international circumstances may limit options that were once considered automatic.
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