Whereas Russia’s struggle in Ukraine presents a extra pressing day-to-day international coverage difficulty for President Biden and his aides, they’ve mentioned repeatedly that China is the best long-term challenger to American energy — at the same time as the 2 international locations keep sturdy commerce ties.

The spy balloon episode that unfolded within the skies above america final week and a ensuing surge in diplomatic tensions have underscored that. Lots of the Democratic and Republican lawmakers who will likely be within the chamber when Mr. Biden delivers his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night time have been demanding solutions about China’s spy balloon fleet, prior intrusions into U.S. airspace and espionage actions.

Mr. Biden might communicate concerning the balloon in his speech and stress how he ordered the U.S. army to shoot down the floating white orb on Saturday — over waters off South Carolina, in order that nobody can be harmed by falling particles. In any case, he’ll in all probability spotlight the a lot broader actions he has taken to confront and constrain China prior to now yr. Democratic and Republican leaders are vying to be seen as extra hawkish on China than the opposite, and they’re delicate to any criticism that they’re “comfortable” on the rival superpower.

Mr. Biden has adopted the Trump administration in ramping up efforts to restrict China’s technological development and the worldwide attain of its high-tech firms. However Mr. Biden has enacted broader insurance policies. Notably, in October, he introduced the U.S. authorities would bar American firms from exporting superior semiconductor chips and manufacturing gear to China until the businesses acquired particular licenses. The principles are additionally geared toward prohibiting some international firms from doing the identical.

Since then, Japan and the Netherlands have agreed to affix america in putting additional limits on exporting semiconductor manufacturing gear to China.

The Biden administration has additionally taken steps to bolster army forces across the Asia-Pacific area with an eye fixed towards a potential armed battle with China. The democratic, self-governing island of Taiwan, a U.S. companion that China claims is its territory, is the largest flashpoint.

Final week, Protection Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III introduced throughout a go to to the Philippines that the U.S. army would have entry to as many as 9 bases round that island chain, together with at websites close to Taiwan, for short-term deployments.

The Biden administration has additionally been shaping weapons gross sales to Taiwan with the intention of arming the Taiwanese army with munitions and protection programs that U.S. officers assume would greatest repel a Chinese language drive or deter Chinese language leaders from ordering an invasion.

One query that continues to be within the air is whether or not diplomacy will enhance after the spy balloon episode. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken canceled a weekend journey to Beijing after information of the balloon broke on Thursday, saying he would make the go to solely “when circumstances permit.” He had deliberate to be again in Washington for Mr. Biden’s State of the Union speech after a two-day cease in Beijing.