Biden Receives First Foreign Policy Question 30 Minutes After Starting Press Conference

U.S. President Joe Biden warned China not to cooperate with Russia during a solo press conference held in Washington DC on the 11th (local time).

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that amid increasing pressure for presidential candidates to withdraw, President Biden was asked his first foreign policy question, unrelated to health or job performance, just 30 minutes into the press conference. The question concerned the NATO joint statement accusing China of assisting Russia in the war in Ukraine.

In response, President Biden first mentioned that, including his time as vice president, he has spent more time with Chinese President Xi Jinping than any other world leader. He also emphasized, "China must understand that if it supplies materials to Russia and cooperates with North Korea to arm Moscow (Russia), it will not gain economically."

He also noted that he is in direct contact with President Xi, warning him against cooperating with Russia. Regarding President Putin, he dismissed any reason to engage in dialogue, saying, "There is no legitimate reason to talk."

Until that question was raised, reporters' questions to President Biden had focused on job performance, Biden's verbal slip regarding 'Putin,' last month's televised presidential debate that sparked calls for candidate withdrawal, and evaluations of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is mentioned as an alternative.