{"id":151009,"date":"2022-11-14T23:01:35","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T07:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=151009"},"modified":"2022-11-14T23:01:35","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T07:01:35","slug":"president-biden-in-a-press-conference-at-bali-indonesia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=151009","title":{"rendered":"President Biden in a Press Conference at Bali Indonesia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Bali, Indonesia&#8230;Welcome to Bali.  (Laughs.)  Please.  Good evening, everyone.  Let me start with a few words about the recent elections held in the United States.  What we saw was the strength and resilience of the American democracy, and we saw it in action.  And the American people proved once again that democracy is who we are.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IUtdQOuW2_I\" title=\"WATCH: Biden gives remarks at G-20 summit in Bali Indonesia\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>And there was a strong rejection of election deniers at every level, from those seeking to lead our states and those seeking to serve in Congress and also those seeking to oversee the elections. <\/p>\n<p>And there was a strong rejection of political violence and voter intimidation.<\/p>\n<p>There was an emphatic statement that in America, the will of the people prevails.<\/p>\n<p>I have \u2014 I\u2019ve traveled this week, and it\u2019s been clear just how closely the world and our allies and our competitors as well have been following our elections at home.<\/p>\n<p>(Clears throat.)  Excuse me, I have a little cold.<\/p>\n<p>And what these elections showed is that there is a deep and unwavering commitment in America to preserving and protecting and defending democracy.<\/p>\n<p>Now, let me speak briefly about our agenda over the past few days in Egypt and in Cambodia and here in Indonesia.<\/p>\n<p>In this moment of great global challenges \u2014 from global inflation, to the climate crisis, to Russia\u2019s brutal war against Ukraine \u2014 we\u2019re bringing together the broadest possible coalition of partners to deliver results. <\/p>\n<p>At COP27 in Egypt, I made it clear that thanks to the bold agenda of our administration we pursued from day one to tackle the climate crisis and advance energy and security at home and around the world, the United States will meet \u2014 the United States will meet our emissions target under the \u2014 targets under the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re going to keep working with our partners to support the most vulnerable countries in building resilience to climate impacts and to align global ambition with the 1.5-degree Celsius goal while super-charging our clean energy transition.<\/p>\n<p>At the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit, I laid out a commitment to working with our partners in the Indo-Pacific to ensure a future that \u2014 that\u2019s vital of this region, that\u2019s free and open and prosperous, as well as secure.<\/p>\n<p>And I met with our allies from Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, underscoring our commitment and deepening our engagement with our closest partners, and strengthening cooperation among our allies to meet shared threats to our own security and to their security, including the DPRK.<\/p>\n<p>And let me meet \u2014 I just met in person with Xi Jinping of the People\u2019s Republic of China.  We had \u2014 (clears throat) \u2014 excuse me \u2014 we had an open and candid conversation about our intentions and our priorities.  It was clear \u2014 he was clear and I was clear \u2014 that we\u2019ll defend American interests and values, promote universal human rights, and stand up for the international order, and work in lockstep with our allies and partners.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re going to compete vigorously.  But I\u2019m not looking for conflict, I\u2019m looking to manage this competition responsibly.<\/p>\n<p>And I want to make sure \u2014 make sure that every country abides by the international rules of the road.  And we discussed that.<br \/>\nThe One China policy \u2014 our One China policy has not changed \u2014 has not changed.  We oppose unilateral change in the status quo by either side, and we\u2019re committed to maintaining the peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. <\/p>\n<p>I was also clear that China and the United States should be able to work together where we can to solve global challenges that require every nation to do its part.<\/p>\n<p>We discussed Russia\u2019s aggression against Ukraine, reaffirmed our shared belief in the threat where the use of nuclear weapons is totally unacceptable.<\/p>\n<p>And I asked that Secretary Blinken travel to China to follow up on our discussions and continue keeping the lines of communication open between our two countries.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead at the G20 meetings tomorrow, we\u2019re going to be talking \u2014 taking on the very issues that matter to the people\u2019s lives, not only here but also \u2014 also our allies and our partners.<\/p>\n<p>That means tackling the suffering that Russia aggression has unleashed, not just on Ukrainian people, but the people around world, particularly food insecurity, and strengthening the fundamentals of our global economy for everyone: support for debt relief, reforms for multilateral development banks, investments to bolster global health security and to make sure the world is better prepared for the next pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>The G20 has been an important forum for the world\u2019s largest economies to work together for the good of people everywhere, and I\u2019m looking forward to our meetings tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p>Now, let me close with this: On my first trip overseas last year, I said that America was back \u2014 back at home, back at the table, and back to leading the world.<\/p>\n<p>In the year and a half that\u2019s followed, we\u2019ve shown exactly what that means.  America is keeping its commitments.  America is investing in our strength at home.  America is working alongside our allies and partners to deliver real, meaningful progress around the world.  And at this critical moment, no nation is better positioned to help build the future we want than the United States of America.<\/p>\n<p>Now I\u2019m happy to take questions.  And I\u2019m told there are going to be four questioners, but I\u2019m not going to do 10 questions from each questioner, all right?  I\u2019ll make that clear at the outset here. <\/p>\n<p>And \u2014 (laughs) \u2014 so, Ken Thomas, Wall Street Journal.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  You said at the outset of this meeting that you did not want \u2014 you did not want competition to turn into conflict.  Based on this meeting today, do you believe a new Cold War with China can be avoided? <\/p>\n<p>And specifically, on the issue of Taiwan, you spoke about intentions.  Do you believe China is preparing, intending to invade Taiwan at some point?  And what warnings did you issue to President Xi if he were to take such action?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Well, to answer the first part of your question, I absolutely believe there\u2019s need not be a new Cold War.  We \u2014 I\u2019ve met many times with Xi Jinping, and we were candid and clear with one another across the board.  And I do not think there\u2019s any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan. <\/p>\n<p>And I made it clear that our policy in Taiwan has not changed at all.  It\u2019s the same exact position we\u2019ve had.  I made it clear that we want to see cross-strait issues peacefully resolved.  And \u2014 and so it never has to come to that.<\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019m convinced that \u2014 that he understood exactly what I was saying.  I understood what he was saying. <\/p>\n<p>And, look, I think the United States is better prepared than any country in the world, economically and politically, to deal with the changing circumstances around the world.<\/p>\n<p>And I think that \u2014 I think Xi Jinping is \u2014 we agreed that we would set up a certain set of circumstances where on issues that were \u2014 that we had to further resolve details, we agreed that we would have our chief of sta- \u2014 our \u2014 the appropriate Cabinet members and others sit and meet with one another to discuss the details of any \u2014 every issue that we \u2014 that was raised, and we raised a lot of issues.<\/p>\n<p>Seung Kim, Associated Press.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  You met with President Xi and you met with him face-to-face after he had unquestionably consolidated his power at home.  So now that you\u2019ve met with him face-to-face, how do you assess his sort of posture towards the United States now?  And did you find him personally to be more confrontational or more conciliatory and willing to compromise?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Neither.  And yes.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Can you elaborate?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, I didn\u2019t find him more confrontational or more conciliatory.  I found him the way he\u2019s always been: direct and straightforward.<\/p>\n<p>And do I think he\u2019s willing to compromise on various issues?  Yes.  I think he understands that \u2014 look, I think \u2014 how can I say this tactfully?  I think the \u2014 I think the election held in the United States was \u2014 still leaves a little bit uncertain \u2014 has sent a very strong message around the world that the United States is ready to play. <\/p>\n<p>The United States is \u2014 the Republicans who survived ,and along with the Democrats, are of the view that we\u2019re going to stay fully engaged in the world and that we, in fact, know what we\u2019re about.  And so I don\u2019t get any sense that there\u2019s more or less confrontation. <\/p>\n<p>We were very blunt with one another about places where we disagreed or where we were uncertain of each other\u2019s position.  And we agreed we\u2019d set up \u2014 and we did \u2014 mechanisms whereby we would meet in detail with our \u2014 the key people in each of our administrations to discuss how we could resolve them, or how, if they weren\u2019t resolved, on what basis were they not resolved.<\/p>\n<p>Sebastian Smith, the Asso- \u2014 the AFP.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you very much, Mr. President.  It\u2019s truly close.  (Refers to microphone.)<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)<\/p>\n<p>Q    Excuse me, I don\u2019t usually talk that loudly. <\/p>\n<p>Does the retaking of Kherson in Ukraine signal a turning point in the war, in your opinion, that the Ukrainians \u2014 where the Ukrainians could realistically pursue their ultimate goal of expelling the Russians completely, including retaking Crimea?  If so, does the U.S. intend to support and facilitate that goal as you\u2019ve been doing so far with their other goals?  Or would you perhaps see Kherson as a different kind of inflection point, basically a good time to start negotiating now that they\u2019ve got some more strength than they had, you know, a few weeks ago?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  First of all, it was a significant, significant victory for Ukraine.  A significant victory.  And I can do nothing but applaud the courage, determination, and capacity of the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian military.  I mean, they have really been amazing.<\/p>\n<p>And I think it\u2019s hard to tell at this point exactly what it means in terms of \u2014 but I\u2019ve been very clear that we\u2019re going to continue to provide the capability for the Ukrainian people to defend themselves.  And we are not going to engage in any negotiation.  There\u2019s no \u2014 nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.  This is a decision Ukraine has to make.<\/p>\n<p>I think you\u2019re going to see things slow down a bit because of the winter months and the inability to move as \u2014 as easily around the country.  But I think it remains to be seen exactly what the outcome will be, except that I\u2019m confident that Russia will not occupy or defend Ukraine as they intended from the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>Um \u2014 uh, I\u2019m having trouble reading this.  Reuters, Natandya [Nandita] Bose. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Mr. President.<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Oh, there you are.<\/p>\n<p>Q    A quick question on North Korea, which appears poised to conduct a new nuclear test.  I\u2019m wondering if you can talk about your specific discussions with President Xi on that.<\/p>\n<p>To what extent do you think China has the ability to talk North Korea out of conducting such tests?  And what are the repercussions for U.S.-Chinese relations if a test goes forward?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Well, first of all, it\u2019s difficult to say that I am certain that \u2014 that China can control North Korea, number one.<\/p>\n<p>Number two, I\u2019ve made it clear to President Xi Jinping that I thought they had an obligation to attempt to make it clear to North Korea that they should not engage in long-range nuclear tests.  And I made it clear as well that if they did \u2014 \u201cthey\u201d meaning North Korea \u2014 that we would have to take certain actions that would be more defensive on our behalf, and it would not be directed against North Korea \u2014 I mean \u2014 excuse me \u2014 it would not be directed against China, but it would be to send a clear message to North Korea.  We are going to defend our allies, as well as American soil and American capacity.<\/p>\n<p>And so \u2014 but I do not think that \u2014 it\u2019s difficult to determine whether or not China has the capacity.  I\u2019m confident China is not looking for North Korea to engage in further escalatory means.  Because I made it clear \u2014 and I made it clear from the very beginning, and last year as well, that we will do what it needs to defend our capacity, to defend ourselves and our allies \u2014 South Korea, as well as Japan \u2014 and that it would be \u2014 we\u2019d be more up in the face of China.  But it wouldn\u2019t be because of China, it\u2019d be because of what was going on in North Korea.<\/p>\n<p>So \u2014 and, again, on a number of these issues, we have put together teams where our National Security Advisor, Secretary of Defense, and others are going to be engaging with their counterparts in China to see \u2014<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re not going to be able to work everything out.  I\u2019m not suggesting it\u2019s going \u2014 this is kumbaya, you know, everybody is going go away with everything in agreement.  But I do not believe there\u2019s a need for concern of a, as one of you raised the legitimate question, a new Cold War.<\/p>\n<p>And I think that \u2014 I\u2019ll conclude by saying it this way:<\/p>\n<p>I want to be clear, and be clear with all leaders, but particularly with Xi Jinping, that I mean what I say and I say what I mean, so there\u2019s no misunderstanding.  That\u2019s the biggest concern is \u2014 I have is a misunderstanding about intentions or actions on each of our parts.<\/p>\n<p>So we wanted to \u2014 I\u2019ll look at my team \u2014 how long did that meeting last?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Three and a half hours.<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Three and a half hours.  So we covered an awful lot of territory.  And \u2014 and I must say that he was as straightforward as he has been with me in the past.  And I \u2014 I think that we understand one another, which is the most important thing that can be done.<\/p>\n<p>I guess all of you are going swimming from here.  It\u2019s not far.  (Laughter.)  But \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Mr. President, what should Americans expect from Congress as it relates to abortion rights after the midterms?<br \/>\nTHE PRESIDENT:  I don\u2019t think they can expect much of anything other than we\u2019re going to maintain our positions. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not going to get into more questions.  I shouldn\u2019t even have answered your question.<\/p>\n<p>Q    (Inaudible) codify?  You had said you would try \u2014 you would plan to codify.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Mr. President, will you take \u2014<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  No, no, I don\u2019t think that \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 a question from an Indonesian?<br \/>\nTHE PRESIDENT:  I don\u2019t think there\u2019s enough votes to codify, unless something happens unusual in the House.  I think we\u2019re going to get very close in the House.  But I don\u2019t \u2014 I think it\u2019s going to be very close, but I don\u2019t think we\u2019re going to make it.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bali, Indonesia&#8230;Welcome to Bali. (Laughs.) Please. Good evening, everyone. Let me start with a few words about the recent elections held in the United States. What we saw was the strength and resilience of the American democracy, and we saw it in action. And the American people proved once again that democracy is who we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":150965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Fullscreen-capture-11142022-22911-PM.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=151009"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151009\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151010,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151009\/revisions\/151010"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/150965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=151009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=151009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=151009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}