“SILLY BALLOON”?! Biden Predicts ‘Imminent Thaw’ With China, Mocks Balloon That Spied on US

During a press conference following the G7 summit, President Joe Biden announced that the Group of Seven nations had reached a consensus on their approach to China. The agreed-upon strategy involves diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on any single country. Biden emphasized that the objective was not to sever ties with China but rather to reduce risks and broaden the relationship.

Highlighting the unity among G7 nations, Biden stated that they were more resolute than ever in their joint efforts to combat economic coercion and address harmful practices that negatively impact their workers. In a communique issued during the weekend, G7 leaders outlined their shared approach to engage with China in a way that mitigates risks without completely disconnecting.

In response to the G7’s stance, the Chinese embassy in Japan called on the G7 to refrain from creating confrontation and division. However, despite this reaction, Biden expressed optimism about the prospect of improved relations with China in the near future. He alluded to a forthcoming thaw in the frosty relationship, citing a previous agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to maintain open communication. However, he acknowledged that circumstances changed after an incident involving a balloon carrying alleged spying equipment flying over sensitive military sites earlier this year.

“We should have an open hotline,” Biden said. He said he had agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia last year to keep communications open, but, Reuters reports, everything changed after “this silly balloon that was carrying two freight cars worth of spying equipment.”

Biden suggested a shift in U.S.-China relations could occur soon, echoing his comment to reporters before his departure.

“In terms of talking with them, I think you’re going to see that thaw very shortly,” Biden said.

Regarding the tensions between China and Taiwan, Biden underscored that most of the allies shared a clear understanding that any unilateral action by China against the self-governed island would elicit a response. While reiterating that the United States would not dictate China’s actions, Biden emphasized the importance of enabling Taiwan to defend itself.

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen had already stated her commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait amid escalating military pressure from China.

Biden reiterated the stance of the United States and its G7 allies not to engage in trade involving materials that could be utilized by China for developing weapons of mass destruction. However, he emphasized that this approach was not intended as a hostile act. While he expressed no plans to relax restrictions on such materials, discussions were underway regarding potential easing of sanctions on Chinese General Li Shangfu, who assumed the position of China’s defense minister in March.

{Matzav.com}