U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations has agreed on a unified approach towards China, calling for the diversification of supply chains to reduce dependence on a single nation, and hinted that he may speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon.
In a press conference, Biden stated, "We are not seeking to decouple from China. We are working to neutralize risks and diversify our relationship with them." He added that the G7 countries have become more united than ever in "resisting economic pressures together and combating harmful practices."
Biden emphasized the need for an "open hotline" and mentioned that he agreed with Xi Jinping during last year's G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, to keep communication channels open, but noted that everything changed after "that ridiculous balloon carrying what equated to two cargo trucks of spying equipment."
He indicated that a shift in U.S.-China relations could be imminent, saying, “Regarding talking to the Chinese, I think you will see this improvement in the near future," reiterating what he told reporters before leaving for his country.
On the tensions between China and Taiwan, Biden affirmed that there is a clear understanding among most allies that if China takes unilateral action against Taiwan, there will be a response. He said, "We will not tell China what we might do, but in the meantime, we will place Taiwan in a position where it can defend itself."
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen pledged on Saturday to maintain the status quo for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait amid rising tensions with China, which is intensifying military pressure on the democratically governed island.
Biden reiterated that the U.S. and its G7 allies will not engage in trade deals involving materials that could enable China to produce weapons of mass destruction, but noted that this "is not an adversarial act." He stated that he would not discuss easing restrictions on China regarding those materials, but there are negotiations concerning the lifting of sanctions imposed on China's new Defense Minister General Li Shangfu, who assumed office in March.
