U.S. President Joe Biden said he warned Chinese President Xi Jinping that if China violated sanctions on Russia, it would make a big mistake, and the U.S. and other countries may stop investing in China, but so far Beijing has shown no signs of supplying arms to Moscow.
He and Xi spoke by phone shortly after their meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Beijing Winter Olympics in February, according to a summary of Biden’s interview aired Sunday on CBS’ “60 Minutes” program. Days after the closing of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Putin launched an attack on Ukraine.
“Not long after that, I called President Xi — not a threat at all, but a confession,” Biden said. “We’ve met many times, and if you think the United States and other countries are after you violated sanctions against Russia, , would invest in China, that would be a big mistake, but it’s your decision.”
Biden did not specify the time of the call, but his remarks matched the transcript of a public call between the U.S. and Chinese leaders in March. According to records at the time, Biden said, “there will be repercussions and consequences if China provides substantial support to Russia following Russia’s brutal attack on Ukrainian cities and civilians.”
Biden said on the program that there is currently no sign of Beijing supplying Russia with weapons and other materials.
Even if Beijing shows no signs of violating the sanctions, U.S.-China economic relations remain strained. The White House has taken steps to protect domestic supply chains such as semiconductors to reduce reliance on China and increase scrutiny of foreign investment.
Asked if Sino-Russian relations have plunged the U.S. into a “new, more complicated Cold War,” Biden said: “I don’t think it’s a new, more complicated Cold War.”
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