But this comes amid a nadir in America's global reputation, and with partners sceptical that Washington will be able to commit as much as it promises.
Still, Asia will occupy a large part of the Biden administration's attention in the next four years, given America's strategic competition.Biden will want to break down barriers to free trade that penalise American goods and services, while resisting the"America First" protectionist impulses of his predecessor Donald Trump.The question is, who writes the rules that govern trade?" he wrote in Foreign Affairs.
But rejoining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Trump left, will not be high on Biden's list of priorities in Asia. Although Biden is open to joining trade deals, he will be preoccupied with strengthening the middle class through investment policies back home.Biden has also promised to work on arms control, and cites North Korea as a target of his denuclearisation efforts.
Biden said he would empower American negotiators and"jump-start a sustained, coordinated campaign with our allies and others, to advance our shared objective of a denuclearised North Korea".American Enterprise Institute research fellow Zack Cooper said that most of American allies and partners are excited for a new administration, giving Biden an opportunity to shift the momentum in Asia.