Beijing sanctions Pompeo and other former Trump administration officials in a move the Biden administration says is “politically divisive and futile.”

Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo

The Biden administration on Thursday condemned Beijing‘s move, calling it “politically divisive” and “futile” and calling for a bipartisan condemnation of the move, as the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against 28 members of the Trump administration, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on the inauguration day of new U.S. President Joe Biden. The Biden Administration‘s initial show of toughness against the Communist Party was welcomed by Australia.

Amily Horne, a spokeswoman for the U.S. National Security Council, told AFP that “imposing these sanctions when Biden was sworn in (by the Chinese Communist Party) seems to be playing into political divisiveness,” AFP reported. She said the move would not work. The United States does not accept this “counterproductive” decision. She also said, “President Biden will work with leaders of both parties (Republicans and Democrats) to elevate the United States above China.”

In addition, U.S. Secretary of State nominee John Blinken said on the 19th that he supports Trump’s tough stance on the Chinese Communist Party. Australia’s Ambassador to the U.S., John Snodinos, noted that he welcomed the Biden administration’s initial stance on China, which promises to be “consistent with our previous positions.

Biden has vowed to roll back several key Trump policies in his first days in office. Concerns have been raised that this may include a reduction in U.S. pressure on the Chinese Communist Party. But Blinken said on the 19th that he supports Trump’s tough stance.

“When we look at China, the Chinese Communist Party undoubtedly poses the greatest challenge to the United States, and its challenge is greater than any other country,” and “We should begin to deal with China from a position of strength, not a position of weakness,” Blinken said at a Senate appointment hearing. Snodinos welcomed Blinken’s statement. He also noted that the statement was consistent with Australia’s leadership role in countering the Chinese Communist Party over the past year. Snodinos said he expected the Biden administration to be “quite strategic” and to continue to support Australia.