The Middle East is a case in point. The thrust of the Bush government is to ensure strategic control in the Middle East, not permanent peace. The future direction of the Bush administration's foreign policy, though, could encompass wider areas like trade and human rights. The Republicans have always attached importance to business. The Bush government is described by public opinion as a 'business-style government', because of the large proportion of entrepreneurs in the new administration.
Trade is a priority issue.
In his speech to Congress, Mr Bush appealed for the same authority to promote free trade. Although human rights do not rank very high on the foreign-policy agenda at present, the emphasis is subject to change because of pressure from Congress and interest groups. While the Bush administration's policy towards China is still being formed, the general impression is that it is basically the same as that of Mr Clinton in giving importance to China. This would involve maintaining contact and supporting China's entry to the World Trade Organisation and adhering to the one-China principle. Compared to Mr Clinton's second-term policies, however, the Bush approach has some changes, such as stressing that China is a 'strategic competitor' rather than a 'strategic partner' and relegating it to a lower rung in the overall US diplomatic strategy.