WASHINGTON – The Biden administration vowed Thursday to stand by Australia in its worsening trade and other disputes with China.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Australian counterpart that the U.S. “will not leave Australia alone on the field — or maybe I should say ‘alone on the pitch’ — in the face of economic coercion by China.” “That's what allies do," he said. "We have each other's backs so we can face threats and challenges from the position of collective strength.” Like the United States and China, Australia and China are in the midst of several major disputes as Beijing seeks to apply pressure over commerce and influence.