Biden Addresses Members Of The United States Coast Guard Academy’s 2021 Graduating Class

Yesterday, President Biden singled out competition with Russia and China as part of his speech to the United States Coast Guard Academy’s 2021 graduating class. Biden recognized the accomplishments of the graduates and outlined his belief that the U.S. is at a ‘significant inflection point in world history’ and discussed the Coast Guard’s role in the pandemic as well as storm, wildfire and flood response.

He called out Russia and China for their ‘disruptive actions’ and said “when nations try to game the system or tip the rules in their favor, it throws everything out of balance. That’s why we’re so adamant that these areas of the world that are the arteries of trade and shipping remain peaceful, whether that’s the South China Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and, increasingly, the Arctic. It’s a vital interest to America’s Foreign Policy: secure, unimpeded flow of global commerce. It won’t happen without us taking an active role to set the norms of conduct to shape them around Democratic values, not those of Autocrats.” Biden also delivered a commencement address to the Academy back in 2013 when he was Vice President.