Speaker Mike Johnson criticized President Biden’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC Summit, accusing Biden of projecting weakness on the world stage. Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, emphasized the need to maintain peace through strength, echoing the philosophy of former President Reagan. He warned that projecting weakness could invite aggression from China, Iran, Russia, and other adversaries around the world.
During the summit, Biden and Xi engaged in contentious discussions on Taiwan policy, with Biden going so far as to publicly label Xi a “dictator” during a press conference. Johnson also condemned American tech CEOs for hosting Xi at a dinner and giving him a warm reception, calling it shameful to applaud a communist leader who persecutes his own people and poses a threat to the United States.
The exchange between Johnson and Catsimatidis highlighted the contentious rhetoric surrounding Biden’s approach to China and the concerns about ensuring a strong and assertive position on the world stage, particularly in the face of provocative behavior from adversarial nations. The criticism from Johnson underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges in U.S.-China relations, with implications for global security and economic collaboration.
