CNBC reports that Natixis’ chief economist for Asia-Pacific said that hope is fading for a significant change in U.S.-China relations under President-elect Joe Biden.

Relations between the U.S. and China have spiraled downward under President Donald Trump’s administration in the last four years.

Ahead of the election, Natixis economists had hoped the two countries could return to better terms under new leadership in the White House.

“Frankly speaking, the first words we’ve heard from Biden aren’t very appealing,” Garcia-Herrero said.

As the Biden administration seeks to rebuild relationships with American allies, analysts expect the new leader to keep a firm line on China.

Garcia-Herrero pointed to increasingly tough talk on China from Europe, Australia, U.S. Congress and Nato, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The tone from Beijing is also very defensive, she added.