We’ve heard that claim made before, by then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign. It’s a sentiment that characterized his campaign to showcase how weak the United States had become, not only under Democrat leadership but failed leadership from what he calls “RINOS”— that is, spineless Republicans and conservatives that just don’t “win.”
After the media proclaimed Joe Biden to be the President-Elect, he tweeted “America is Back.”
America is back.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 24, 2020
Assuming the jokes from conservatives and memers were accurate— that speculated the comment entailed that he would drop bombs on Syria, put America last, sell out to China, decimate the middle class, amongst other criticisms— it seemed that just within the first few weeks of his presidency, he was right. America was back. With military convoys sent to Syria, airstrikes called in on their soil, thousands of jobs lost, the proposal of the biggest tax hike since the last 30 years, and a struggling relationship with China, maybe America finally is back.
But it’s safe to say that, whatever one’s opinion of the new administration, world leaders are not particularly fond of nor seem to respect the administration.
North Korea
Up first on the list is Kim Jong Un, the “Supreme Leader” of North Korea. While his relationship with then-President Donald Trump was strained at first, with a series of tweets from Trump that mocked and belittled the “little rocket man,” the two eventually faired well together. For a country that was threatening to nuke the U.S., this was a sigh of relief.
Recently, however, Kim doesn’t even want to meet with Biden, as they have ignored the administration’s attempts to contact them. A statement issued from Kim Yo Jong, Un’s powerful sister, warned the Biden administration that it “better refrain from causing a stink” if “it wants to sleep in peace for the coming four years.”
Ouch. Well, good luck to Biden’s handlers trying to get Kim Jong Un smiling again.
Russia
The funniest of this list might be Vladimir Putin, “President” of Russia. Whatever your take on Putin is, one must acknowledge his overt confidence and strength. In fact, none of the leaders on this list should be underestimated. It’s just bad policy. However, it seems that America is certainly being toyed with like mouse caught by multiple cats.
On March 17th, in an interview with George Stephanopoulos Biden agreed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “killer” and would “pay a price” for interfering in U.S. elections.
Days later, Putin recalled the Russian embassy spokesperson and issued the following statement on Russian state TV:
“I’ve just thought of this now. I want to propose to President Biden to continue our discussion, but on the condition that we do it basically live, as it’s called. Without any delays and directly in an open, direct discussion. It seems to me that would be interesting for the people of Russia and for the people of the United States.”
Putin also commented: “I wish you health. I say that without any irony. I remember in my childhood, when we argued in the playground with each other we used to say: it takes one to know one. And that’s not a coincidence, it’s not just a children’s saying or joke. It has deep psychological meaning. We see our own traits in other people.”
Well, while Putin is trying to get into Biden’s head, it is becoming hard to think Biden has one to get inside of.
China
Lastly, we have China.
The first of “high-level” talks— as it’s being reported— occurred between the two countries in Anchorage, Alaska. If high-level means full of criticism and aggression, it would seem that that was accomplished.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed back on China, raising concerns over the Uyghers in concentration camps in Xinjiang, Beijing’s increasing control over Hong Kong, and other sensitive issues, accusing China of “”coercion and aggression.”
In other words, Blinken did his job. But the response from Chinese diplomats shows what the country truly think of the U.S.
Yang Jiechi, a member of the Communist Party’s Politburo, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, most notably fired back with criticisms that the U.S. should handle its own issues, saying “Many people within the United States actually have little confidence in the democracy of the United States”, citing racism, black lives matter . They added later: “Is that the way you had hoped to conduct this dialogue?” Yang asked, according to his delegation’s translator. “I think we thought too well of the United States. The United States isn’t qualified to speak to China from a position of strength.”
Notable Tweets
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also tweeted:
Strength deters bad guys. Weakness begets war.
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) March 19, 2021
Kim, Putin, and Xi have all now publicly mocked Biden this week
Xi’s delegation to their face
No one around the world has any respect for him, as he is seen as weak and feckless
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) March 19, 2021
