The G7 major industrialised nations are increasingly aligned on the “economic and security risk” posed by China and the policies it is pursuing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday at the conclusion of a foreign ministers meeting.
In comments at his last meeting as Washington’s top diplomat, Blinken praised the group’s accomplishments and called for a continuation of the partners’ strategy, which is expected to weaken under president-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20.
“The bottom line is this: We are much stronger, we’re much more effective, when we’re acting together, not alone,” Blinken said, according to a transcript from Fiuggi, Italy, where the meeting was held. “And just to cite the obvious example in the economic area when we’re dealing with policies of concern by China, any of our countries acting alone compared to when we’re acting together simply cannot be as effective.”
The meeting focused heavily on the wars in the Middle East – where the outline of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah has emerged – and Ukraine, including Russia’s recent use of North Korean troops.
“We spent a lot of time on that,” Blinken said. “But also on China’s ongoing support for Russia’s defence industrial base – all of which is allowing Russia to continue the aggression against Ukraine, both of which are reminders that European and Indo-Pacific security are joined.”
But Blinken said it was also crucial to work with China where interests converged. And he called on Beijing to intercede with Russia and North Korea in a bid to bring a resolution to the war, which has surpassed 1,000 days.
