“We are not looking to separate from China. We are looking to neutralize risks and diversify our relationship with China,” Biden told a press conference, adding that G7 countries are more united than ever. to “resist economic pressures together and confront harmful practices”. ”
But the US president said in comments after the conclusion of a three-day summit of Group of Seven leaders that he expected frosty relations with China to improve “very soon” after tensions at the start of the the year following the downing by the United States of a Chinese balloon over sensitive military sites.
“We need to have an open hotline,” Biden said. He added that he agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia last year to keep communication channels open, but everything changed after “that balloon ridiculous car that carried two freight cars’ worth of spy equipment”.
Biden indicated the possibility of a change in the relationship between the United States and China soon, repeating the content of what he told reporters before leaving his country.
“As far as talking to them (the Chinese), I think you’ll see that improvement very soon,” Biden said.
Regarding the tension between China and Taiwan, Biden said most allies clearly understood that if China took unilateral action against Taiwan, there would be a response.
“We won’t tell China what it can do… but in the meantime we will put Taiwan in a position where it can defend itself,” he said.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pledged on Saturday to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, amid growing tensions with China, which is stepping up military pressure on the ruled island. democratically.
Biden reiterated that the United States and its Group of Seven allies would not enter into trade deals on materials for China to make weapons of mass destruction, but said it was “not a ‘hostile behaviour’.
He said he would not discuss easing restrictions on China on these items, but negotiations were underway on easing sanctions on China’s new defense minister, General Li Shangfu, who took office in March.
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