That makes consultations with the reclusive country's neighbors, Japan, South Korea and China, all the more critical.
Meanwhile, U.S. and South Korean negotiators have overcome years of contentious discussions under Trump to reach a tentative deal on paying for the American troop presence in South Korea.
He served in the Philippines and Indonesia during the Trump administration and was also previously the special envoy for North Korea.
For all of Biden's suggestions that he will reverse Trump's overt hostility to China, Biden has yet to countermand a single one of his predecessor's policies.
โAfter the work of the past 50 days, Secretary Blinken and I will enter the meeting with senior Chinese representatives from a position of strength,โ Sulllivan said Friday.