New Sheriff in DC

The Return of Strength: A New Sheriff is Coming to Washington

The sudden release of three Americans imprisoned in China under harsh conditions reeks of déjà vu for those who recall the 1981 hostage release following Ronald Reagan’s presidential victory. This time, the stage is set in Beijing, where President Xi Jinping has made what some interpret as a preemptive gesture ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The message? China knows the game is changing.

The prisoners—an entrepreneur sentenced to death on dubious drug charges, a solar-cell businessman convicted of state security violations, and an alleged spy—have been reunited with their families. The outgoing Biden administration is quick to claim credit, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praising Biden’s “personal engagement” with Xi. But skeptics argue that this is less about Biden’s diplomacy and more about Beijing hedging its bets.

Trump, poised to reclaim the presidency, has made it clear that he’s bringing a tougher stance. His recent promise to slap a new 10% tariff on Chinese goods over their role in fentanyl exports signals a return to hard-nosed policy. “Until China stops the flow of deadly drugs into the U.S., they will pay the price,” Trump stated, reiterating his belief in action over rhetoric.

The parallels to Reagan’s no-nonsense foreign policy are striking. Just as the Ayatollah’s regime saw Reagan as a leader who meant business, China’s leadership appears to be bracing for a new sheriff. Trump’s focus on fentanyl, COVID reparations, and holding China accountable is a stark contrast to Biden’s perceived softness—a softness Republicans allege is linked to shady business dealings involving Biden’s family.

For many Americans, this release isn’t a victory for diplomacy; it’s a signal. January 20 will mark the start of a new era—one where strength and accountability are back in the driver’s seat.