Joe Biden Expects Immediate 'Drop’ in Chinese Relations

Joe Biden said he expected to see an „edging” in US relations with Beijing as he wrapped up the G7 summit in Japan, where he made a concerted effort to counter China’s military and economic security threats.

At a news conference at the end of the three-day summit, the US president said talks between the two countries had stalled after a „funny balloon” carrying spy equipment flew over North America before being shot down by the US military. .

“Everything has changed in terms of talking to each other. I think you’re going to see that start to melt away pretty quickly,” Biden said.

Biden added that his administration is considering lifting sanctions against Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. Beijing recently refused to agree to a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore next month due to economic sanctions.

US officials have previously said privately that the administration would not lift sanctions on Li over China’s imports of fighter jets and missiles from Russia.

Biden reiterated at the news conference that the United States stands by the „one China” policy of recognizing Beijing as China’s sole government, and that Washington does not support any move to declare Taiwan’s independence.

However, he added: “In the meantime, we’re going to continue to put Taiwan in a position where they can defend themselves. Indeed, there is a clear understanding among our allies that if China acts unilaterally, there will be a response.

Biden did not confirm whether he was referring to a military response. However, he has said four times before that he would order the US military to intervene if China took unprovoked military action against Taiwan.

The White House did not respond to a request for clarification on what kind of response Biden was expecting.

The US president’s comments came a day after G7 members – the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy – issued statements condemning Beijing on a range of issues, including its military activities in the East and South China Seas. Tibet and its human rights record in Xinjiang. Advanced economies called for peace across the Taiwan Strait.

In a comment that may have sparked anger in Beijing, Biden at one point referred to Taiwan as a „country” that contradicted US policy. In response to a question about his discussion of the „One China” policy, Biden said „no country,” later correcting himself to say „no territory.”

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and is highly sensitive to any views that appear to contradict this, particularly those of the United States.

Adjacent to the G7, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened the Quad meeting after Biden was forced to cancel a trip to Sydney for a separate meeting with the group’s leaders – the US, Japan, Australia and India.

In a joint statement, the four countries said they „strongly oppose any destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the situation in the Indo-Pacific region by force or coercion”. Although China was not specifically mentioned, the report pointed to Chinese activities in the region.

Separately on Sunday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken signed a security agreement with Papua New Guinea. It is Washington’s latest attempt to boost ties with the Pacific island nation after China shocked the United States and its allies by signing a defense pact with the Solomon Islands last year.