【明報專訊】The White House has changed hands and Joe Biden has taken office. In addition to the mess left behind by the Trump administration, there are also challenges brought about by international changes, and Joe Biden has to turn things around in many ways. Internally, Biden wants to fight the pandemic and boost the economy, but his new administration could be hamstrung by a society torn apart by the "Cold Civil War" situation. It is also doubtful whether the unlimited printing of money despite the debt can solve the economic and bread-and-butter crisis. On the external front, Biden wants to reunite the Western camp, resume the US's global leadership, reverse the "Westlessness" situation and cope with the rise of China. However, it is doubtful whether the damage caused by Trump's "America First" policies can really be erased like chalk. Sino-US relations in the Biden era will not be as confrontational as it has been over the past two or three years, but there is not much room for improvement. It will only oscillate between iciness and engagement, with more competition than co-operation.