Biden: "North Korea's Nuclear Threat Has Not Increased... Trump Should Have Signed the Agreement"

"China May Use US Military Force if Invading Taiwan"
"Evidence of China's Interference in US Presidential Election"

U.S. President Joe Biden assessed that North Korea's nuclear threat has not become more severe than in the past and remains at a similarly threatening level.

In a full interview published by the U.S. current affairs magazine Time on the 4th (local time), when asked whether nuclear issues with North Korea and Iran have become more threatening, President Biden said, "They are just as threatening as before," adding, "I do not think they are more threatening, and I believe North Korea has other issues that need to be addressed."

President Joe Biden of the United States

When asked whether engaging with Iran and North Korea, which possess or are close to possessing nuclear weapons, could be an effective policy, he replied, "No, it is not. This has been ongoing for some time," and added, "You might have asked the same question about North Korea sitting here five years ago during the Donald Trump administration."

This statement is interpreted to mean that the North Korean nuclear issue was threatening during the Trump administration as well, and that the security threat level from North Korea's nuclear weapons has not increased since his inauguration.

President Biden said, "As long as nuclear weapons can be used, it will always be a problem," and added, "The issue is how to prevent the use of nuclear weapons." He also stated, "That is why I think it was wrong that Trump did not try to establish an arrangement to control North Korea and nuclear weapons when he left office three or five years ago."

He continued, "I did things you were too cynical to believe I could do. I have developed an incredibly comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy," emphasizing his efforts.

President Biden questioned, "Did you think Japan would invest 3% of its GDP in defense and reconcile with South Korea at Camp David when I said this was due to the overwhelming threats from North Korea and Europe?"

Referring to support efforts for Ukraine, the Quad (security consultative group of the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India), AUKUS (security alliance of the U.S., UK, and Australia), and trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines, he said, "The point is that we have invested billions of dollars and have become much stronger in the Pacific than before." He also said, "China is very concerned about this."

President Biden said, "I have spent more time with Chinese President Xi Jinping than any other world leader," and added, "President Xi wanted to know why I am doing all this. I told him, 'It is to make sure you (President Xi) cannot change anything about the status quo.'"

When asked what form the U.S. military would take in defending Taiwan if China invades, he replied, "It depends on the situation," and stated that there is no change in the Taiwan policy.

When further asked whether the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to Taiwan is excluded, he said, "I do not rule out the use of U.S. military forces," adding, "There is a difference between deploying ground forces and using air and naval power." When asked if strikes could be launched from bases in Japan or the Philippines (with fighter jets), he said, "I cannot be specific."

Earlier, after the 2022 U.S.-Japan summit, President Biden responded to a question about military intervention to defend Taiwan by saying, "Yes. That is our commitment," indicating the possibility of military support for Taiwan's defense.

Regarding concerns that sharply raising tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by imposing a 100% tariff might lead to inflation, he said, "No," emphasizing, "Former President Trump wanted to impose a 10% tariff on all imports, which would raise prices on all American goods. What we are talking about is not overall tariffs." He also said, "We said we would compete under the same rules," and added, "You cannot change the market by flooding it (overproduction)."

On the controversy over his age, he stated, "I can do better than anyone you know." Referring to his visit to South Korea in 2022, he said, "I remember when I was going to South Korea to reclaim the semiconductor industry," and emphasized, "Since I took office, we have received $865 billion in private sector investment. Has any other president done that?"

When asked whether China is interfering in U.S. elections through artificial intelligence (AI) and other means, he said, "There is evidence of interference," adding, "China would be interested in interfering. All the bad guys are rooting for Trump."

Regarding China's economic issues, he said, "Everyone talks about how strong China is," and asked, "But would you want to switch places with Xi Jinping?" He continued, "(China's population) is older than most young people in Europe and too old to work, and they hate foreigners." He also said, "Where is China growing?" and added, "The Chinese economy is in crisis."

Regarding China's Belt and Road Initiative aimed at expanding global influence, he described it as a "'nuisance graveyard initiative.'"

About former President Trump, he said, "Democracy has become endangered," and challenged, "Besides Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb?n and Russian President Vladimir Putin, name one world leader who thinks Trump should be U.S. president."

Time magazine announced that the interview was conducted on the 28th of last month.