At the G7 summit in Hiroshima , a press conference was held by US President Joe Biden following the meetings of the heads of state of its members. While talking to reporters, Biden made several important statements regarding relations with China, support for Ukraine, and the issue of the US debt ceiling.
Regarding China, Biden said that the G7 members agreed on the need to diversify the supply chains of goods so that they are not tied to one country. “We are not going to isolate ourselves from China. But we are looking for ways to reduce risks,” he stressed. At the same time, Biden expressed hope for an early “thaw” in US relations with China. Their cooling is observed after the Americans shot down a Chinese balloon near one of their military bases.
Joe Biden said he promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky support that "won't run out." “Putin will not undermine our resolve, as he hoped,” the US president said. He also commented on the upcoming transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The move should not escalate the war, Biden said, as Zelensky assured the US and its allies that the planes would not be used to strike Russian territory.
Speaking about the crisis associated with the achievement by the United States of the "ceiling" of the national debt, Biden stressed that he would not agree to a deal with the Republican majority in Congress, which involves a strong cut in budget spending. “The time has come for Republicans to accept the fact that a bipartisan deal cannot be negotiated on terms put forward by one party,” the US president said. At the same time, he noted that a possible default on payments on public debt would cause serious consequences and "is not considered."
The 2023 G7 Summit is taking place in Japan, in the city of Hiroshima, which, along with Nagasaki, was subjected to nuclear bombing by the United States in 1945. The next G7 meeting is to be held in 2024 in Italy.