US President Joe Biden has formally opted to lead a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The political move was coordinated to reprimand China for its alleged human rights abuses.
How The Plan Came To Be
Biden’s diplomatic withdrawal from the games has been in discussion for many months now with support from members across parties. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been especially vocal on the matter, first bringing up the subject in May of this year.
“If we don’t speak out against human rights violations in China for commercial reasons, we lose all moral authority to speak out for human rights anywhere,”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
She addressed the potential of the boycott going without effect, citing several previous blunders. Still, it seems that history is repeating itself.
Boycott Brings Little Action Abroad
After the announcement of the US boycott was made, China’s President Xi Jinping released a statement claiming that US diplomats were never invited to the Olympics to begin with.
And while the US hoped that its allies would join in support, there has been nothing but crickets on the other side of the Atlantic. At the moment, only Canada, Australia, and the U.K. have pledged their diplomatic absence.
It is quite ironic as well, given that each of these countries actively overlooks similar abuses at home.
The Chinese government has accused the US and others on the boycott of “political posturing.” Even so, the “posturing” doesn’t seem to be as effective as the Biden Administration would have hoped.
Biden’s Favorability Dwindles
On one side, many believe that the diplomatic boycott is silly and ineffectual. Some even consider the act to be disrespectful to athletes who trained their whole lives for this moment.
On the other side, people are demanding that greater action be taken. They believe that the games should be boycotted entirely, as being the hosting country is a greater honor than being surrounded by diplomats.
For both of these groups, the diplomatic boycott hasn’t sweetened them on the prospect of another four years with Biden.
Though he remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Democratic nomination, political betting sites still list him as second to win the Presidency behind Donald Trump Sr.
Odds to Win the 2024 Presidential Election
- Donald Trump Sr. +250
- Joe Biden +325
- Kamala Harris +800
- Ron DeSantis +800
- Pete Buttigieg +1500
Democratic Nominee for the 2024 Election
- Joe Biden +100
- Kamala Harris +250
- Pete Buttigieg +650
- Elizabeth Warren +1000
- Amy Klobuchar +1600
As soon as the 2022 Midterm Elections are over, the Presidency will be at the center of all matters. And as tensions with China continue to intensify, Biden’s chances of success may hinge on his foreign diplomacy.
Source: TIME