Biden warns China and Russia, hedges on seeking reelection – Macau Business

President Joe Biden issued forceful warnings to China and Russia on Sunday and expressed optimism over the US economic rebound, but surprised many by hedging on whether hell seek reelection.

In a rare, wide-ranging interview with the CBS 60 Minutes program, Biden went back on repeated assertions by the White House that he is sure to run in 2024.

Biden, who turns 80 in November, told interviewer Scott Pelley that reelection is his intention.

But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen, he said.

Its much too early, Biden said, calling himself a great respecter of fate.

Surveying the state of the worlds largest economy, Biden was optimistic.

He declared the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States over and predicted that his administration would tame inflation the main reason for his weak approval ratings and the reason Republicans believe they can take control of Congress in the upcoming November midterms.

Were going to get control of inflation, he said.

In another surprise moment, Biden once again appeared to challenge decades of US policy on Taiwan with a vow that he would send troops to defend the self-ruled island if China tried to invade.

Yes, he said, adding that this would happen if there was an unprecedented attack possibly referring to something beyond the frequent saber rattling conducted by Chinese military forces around Taiwan.

Under the US policy known as strategic ambiguity, Washington recognizes Chinese sovereignty but opposes any forceful attempt to end Taiwans de facto self-rule. While Washington does arm Taiwan, there is no clear promise of direct US military support.

The White House said that Bidens latest remarks do not indicate a change.

After the interview, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere gratitude for Bidens support.

In the face of Chinas military expansion and provocative actions, our government will continue to strengthen self-defense capabilities to firmly resist the expansion and aggression of authoritarianism, and at the same time deepen the close Taiwan-US security partnership, the ministry said in a statement.

In another tough message to the United States biggest economic and geopolitical rival, Biden said he had warned President Xi Jinping not to support Russia militarily in its invasion of Ukraine.

He said he told Xi that US and other foreign investment in China would be disrupted and to think otherwise would be a gigantic mistake.

He also said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin uses nuclear or other non-conventional weapons against Ukraine the US response will be consequential.

When asked what he would tell Putin if the Russian leader was mulling such a move, he said: Dont. Dont. Dont.

Biden praised the Ukrainians for their gritty fight against the huge Russian invasion and said theyre defeating Russia.

Asked how to define victory for Kyiv, he said winning the war in Ukraine is to get Russia out of Ukraine completely.

But given the scale of human suffering and destruction inflicted in resisting the Russian onslaught, its awful hard to count that as winning, he added.

Despite his poor ratings and polls showing Democrats likely to lose control of at least one chamber of Congress, Biden said he is upbeat.

Noting that employment is booming and the economy is strong, Biden said we hope we can have, as they say, a soft landing.

On whether at his age he is physically and mentally able to continue in the grueling job, Biden said: watch me.

Its a matter of, you know, that old expression the proof of the pudding is in the eating.'

When asked his source of inspiration when times get tough, Biden mentioned his son Beau who died in 2015 but also his parents exhortation to just get up.

Biden said he had a lot more to give.

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Biden warns China and Russia, hedges on seeking reelection - Macau Business