Although the short-term offers some predictability and stability, the problem for foreign governments is that the Democrat may only be there for four years before volatility returns. That will encourage allies to widen their ties with other power blocs.
Fresh evidence of the fires engulfing the Republican Party occurred after Biden gave his speech with Trump-inspired radical congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stripped of committee roles in a House of Representatives vote.
And Trump's second impeachment trial gets under way this week.
Only 10 Republicans supported the House vote to impeach Trump after last month's deadly Capitol insurrection and only 11 of the party's representatives went on record against the QAnon conspiracy extremist Greene.
Biden clearly wants to rebuild America's old team of allies to pitch in on international problems, and he also wants co-operation with competitors when necessary. At this early stage, as various policy reviews are under way, he is mainly offering rhetoric.
Two major issues have already arisen - the military takeover in Myanmar and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Russia - and Iran looms as an early focus.
"The Burmese military should relinquish power ... release the advocates and activists and officials ... and refrain from violence," Biden said. Targeted sanctions are being considered.
On Navalny, Biden said: "He's been targeted, targeted for exposing corruption. He should be released immediately and without condition".
Ultimately there are limited options for engineering pressure against a major power like Russia when issues such as the pandemic, climate crisis, nukes, and trade require cooperation between allies, competitors and foes alike.
Biden essentially acknowledged this when the US and Russia quickly extended the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for five years. There's a lot of friction between the two countries over Navalny, hacking allegations, claims of bounties in Afghanistan, and election interference in 2016. But the nuclear arms reduction treaty was clearly considered too important to risk with any arm-twisting moves.
On China, Biden said: "We'll confront China's economic abuses, counter its aggressive, coercive action, to push back on China's attack on human rights, intellectual property and global governance. But we're ready to work with Beijing, when it's in America's interest to do so."
Noticeably Biden distanced the administration from Saudi Arabia, an ally the US has some leverage with.
Biden said that US support for offensive operations in the Saudi-led war in Yemen would end. The US will also freeze arms sales to Saudi Arabia although there will still be defensive support to Saudi Arabia against missile and drone attacks.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan, said: "We are pursuing a policy of no surprises when it comes to these types of actions".
At present the overall change in tone is notable, but more substance will soon be expected.
