Cooperation rhetoric as risk-communication

An analysis of Biden Administration’s China policy rhetoric through the lens of the Mixed-motive Model

Abstract

This research applies the Mixed-motive Model of Public Relations to analyze the Biden Administration’s rhetoric on China policy, focusing on crisis and risk communication. It explores how the administration rhetorically shifted from Trump’s pure advocacy approach, known as “decoupling,” to a nuanced mixed-motive strategy combining competition and cooperation. This shift redefines the US-China relationship, articulates the US vision, expresses underlying worldviews, and manages inherent tensions in policy rhetoric to reduce the risk of direct conflict. Using Burke’s cluster-agon rhetorical criticism method, the study identifies key God terms, such as “rule-based international order,” “shared vision of future,” “diplomacy,” “network of allies and partners,” “Chinese people,” “US strengths,” and “comprehensive strategy/compete”, and Devil terms, including “challenges,” “conflict,” and “China.” The analysis reveals that Secretary Blinken’s speech serves as strategic communication reflecting a blend of liberalism, realism, and constructivism, which justifies the use of mixed-motive strategies and mitigates tensions by aligning each strategy with a specific worldview. This complex rhetorical approach is shaped by the multifaceted nature of US-China relations and global dynamics. Importantly, the cooperative rhetoric functions as risk communication designed to prevent the US-China competition from escalating into armed conflict.