President Biden had a tense exchange with a reporter when asked about Russia-China economic ties, arguing that their partnership was “vastly exaggerated.”[d].”
Biden held a joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Friday. A reporter asked Biden what he believed to be the significance of the Russo-Chinese alliance.
“In 10 years, Russia and China had 40 meetings, 40 meetings,” Biden began. “And I disagree with the basic premise of your question.”
“Tell me rhetorically how you actually view a circumstance in which China has made a significant commitment to Russia, and what commitment they can make? Economically, economically,” the President continued.
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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a joint news conference with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building March 24, 2023 in Ottawa, Canada. (Andrei Ivanov/AFP via Getty Images)
“Your trade has increased, sir,” the reporter replied.
“Your trade has increased compared to what? Look, look, I don’t take China lightly. I do not take Russia lightly. But I think we’re grossly exaggerating,” Biden claimed.
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“I’ve heard for the last three months now that ‘China will supply significant arms to Russia and they will’ – talked a lot about that,” the president continued. “They haven’t yet. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but they haven’t yet.”
U.S. President Joe Biden and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrive for a joint news conference at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on March 24, 2023 in Ottawa, Canada. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden’s comments came days after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Moscow to discuss their partnership.
“We hope that the strategic partnership between China and Russia will uphold international fairness and justice on the one hand, and promote our countries’ shared prosperity and development on the other,” Xi said during a joint news conference on Monday.
The two leaders on Tuesday signed an agreement to expand their economic ties, including the development of a gas pipeline from Siberia to China.
President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands Monday, March 20 before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (AP/Russian Presidential Press Office via AP)
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for an explanation but has received no response.