Biden is embedding foreign policy in re-election bid

Significance

Biden gave unusual prominence to foreign policy topics when laying out his main priorities for this year. Emphasising differences on foreign policy will be a central aspect of his efforts to distinguish himself from Donald Trump, but he will be aware that the electorate is increasingly polarised on foreign as well as domestic issues.

Impacts

• Biden will press Congress to approve funds for Ukraine, remaining sceptical of Trump-backed calls to offer loans instead of aid.
• Significant numbers of House and Senate Republicans will see electoral benefits from frustrating Biden’s foreign policy aims.
• Tensions with Israel over the Gaza campaign will grow as Biden and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu disagree in public.