KEY PLAYERS IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION Who are they? What should Australia know? Biden faced Democratic criticism for choosing Austin. The The first Black American to lead the Defense Department fact the media-averse Austin was picked over Michèle and a former general with extensive experience in the Lloyd Austin Flournoy — widely seen to be the favourite for the position Middle East. Austin led the US withdrawal from Iraq in 2011 Secretary of Defense — is telling of what President Biden wants in his cabinet: (a process overseen by then-Vice President Biden) as well lower profile officials more willing to allow their policy to be as efforts combatting ISIS later in the Obama administration. shaped by the administration. A Europhile at his core, Blinken is naturally transatlantic- oriented but has already proven he’s adapted to prioritise The stepson of a Holocaust survivor often said to have the Indo-Pacific. While a pragmatist on most foreign Antony Blinken ‘mind meld’ with Biden, Tony Blinken is a longtime policy issues, Blinken is unafraid to address China’s action Secretary of State Democratic foreign policy hand with decades of experience in Xinjiang as genocide and sees key issues — notably advising Biden. human rights and the ‘responsibility to protect’ — in deeply personal terms. Campbell will spare no effort in working with allies and Kurt Campbell Perhaps the most well-known and accomplished Asia partners to re-establish and expand upon a robust US National Security hand in the Democratic Party. As the chief architect of the presence in the Indo-Pacific. He is proactive in reassuring Council, Indo-Pacific Obama administration’s ‘Asia pivot’, Campbell was brought Australia of the strength of the US-Australian alliance in the Coordinator back to fortify new blocs and existing alliances in Asia. face of an increasingly assertive China. Renowned for both his youth and economic expertise Deese will be the key figure for determining the economic Brian Deese on climate change, Reese was an economic advisor to policies underpinning the administration’s ambitious Director, National President Obama and oversaw the 2009 auto industry climate agenda as well as the continued domestically- Economic Council bailout as well as the 2015 Paris Climate Accord (Paris focused “Build Back Better” plan. Agreement). A leading and experienced thinker on US national security Referring to China as the US foremost strategic competitor, Kathleen Hicks strategy, Hicks comes to her role after years in the Pentagon Hicks will both push for military modernisation and Deputy Secretary of (and outside of it too) studying US military readiness. She’s technological development. She will be an indispensable Defense a reliable spokesperson on the needs of a new and better partner of Australia as the United States fortifies their resourced US military strategy in the wake of a rising China. interoperability with allies in the Indo-Pacific. Kerry is the sole exception to Biden’s otherwise full rejection The creation of the role of climate envoy highlights the John Kerry of the Obama-style ’team of rivals’ approach to the cabinet. importance of climate change to the Biden administration. Special Presidential He holds experience as the 2004 Democratic presidential Australia will likely continue to be directly criticised by Envoy for Climate candidate, nearly 30 years as a Massachusetts senator and Kerry for climate inaction - particularly around ‘insufficient’ Change was secretary of state during the Obama administration. climate ambitions and coal. Klain will be focused on the operations of the White The most progressive of the numerous finalists considered House and smoothing the passage of domestic legislation, Ron Klain for Biden’s chief of staff, Klain is an old Biden staffer including addressing any tensions with progressive Chief of Staff with direct expertise on public health and responding to Democrats. As the most prolific Twitter user of all Biden’s economic crises. top advisors, Klain provides helpful insights into the administration’s thinking. While Raimondo has little to no foreign policy experience, A moderate Democratic governor famous for taking on she will be key in implementing the Biden administration’s Gina Raimondo her state’s labour unions, Raimondo reformed Rhode economic agenda. Her remit includes executing the Secretary of Island’s state pension plan – much to the consternation of administration’s continuation of the Trump administration’s Commerce progressive Democrats. tariffs on China, as well as a number of other countries that include US allies (though not Australia). Ely Ratner Ratner’s appointment as Lloyd Austin’s chief advisor Special advisor to the An internationally known, accomplished, and respected is seen as a reassuring sign for China hawks that the Defense Secretary expert on US-China relations with years of experience administration’s defense strategy will be robust and that and China Task Force advising Biden, Ratner refers to China as America’s multilateral efforts in the region will expand and deepen. Director/nominated to foremost strategic rival and is an advocate for enhancing Under his advice, military modernisation and a more be Assistant Secretary US competitiveness through military modernisation and coherent China strategy can be considered a priority for of Defense for Indo- technological advancement. the Pentagon. Pacific Security Affairs As the head of the internal economic think tank of the Cecilia Rouse The first Black American in the role, Rouse is a labor White House, Rouse is a key media-facing presence on Chair, Council of economist and academic with a significant focus on critical “Build Back Better” policies, the economic rationales Economic Advisors inequality. for them, as well as the key indicators for whether they are deemed to be successful or not. Sherman will likely be entrusted to get Iran back to Wendy Sherman A nuclear negotiation expert, Sherman was a key architect the negotiating table, but unlike during the Obama Deputy Secretary of of the Iran Deal during the Obama administration as well as administration, she will not be given the same resources or State the Clinton administration’s negotiations with North Korea. political capital to do so given that the Indo-Pacific is the administration’s greater foreign policy priority. A wunderkind of Democratic Party foreign policy who Best known for his role orchestrating the Obama Jake Sullivan served Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The election of administration’s Iran Deal, Sullivan has quickly ramped up National Security Donald Trump saw Sullivan become the chief evangelist focus on Asia and increasing US competitiveness at home. Advisor of a foreign policy for the middle class (i.e. synthesising Unlike many predecessors, he is seen as a team player foreign and domestic policy). averse to flaunting himself or his achievements. The first Asian-American in the role and the first Biden Tai comes with bipartisan respect and is a consensus Katherine Tai appointee to receive unanimous Senate approval. As a builder. For now, the consensus in the Biden administration United States Trade former USTR staffer under President Obama and later is that enforcement of existing trade agreements – and not Representative (USTR) a trade counsel in the House Representatives, Tai has new trade deals – are the priority for the administration. unmatched expertise in addressing trade issues with China. With over 30 years of foreign service experience, Thomas- Unlike other US ambassadors to the UN who sought to use Linda Thomas- Greenfield is a highly respected former diplomat who the position to bolster their own political careers, Thomas- Greenfield even Mike Pompeo sought to bring back to the State Greenfield is expected to be a humble and loyal soldier US Ambassador to Department. She is both proud and open about her staying on-message: America is once again a beacon of the United Nations Louisiana roots, including her experiences growing up in the democracy, committed to human rights and the rule of segregated South. international law. The first person in US history to head each of the most powerful federal economic bodies: the Treasury, the A well-known inflation dove, Yellen will also prioritise non- Federal Reserve, and White House Council of Economic traditional issues like inequality, racial equity, and climate Janet Yellen Advisors. While the first female Treasury Secretary is very change for prominent roles in Treasury policy. She will also Secretary of Treasury much an establishment figure, even as Chair of the Federal spearhead key global efforts by the Biden administration Reserve (a far more conservative and less political position), like a global minimum corporate tax. Yellen was notably progressive on issues like inequity and climate change. UNITED STATES STUDIES CENTRE Institute Building (H03), City Rd The University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia +61 2 9351 7249 | [email protected] USSC.EDU.AU.