Biden’s ‘ticking time bomb’ remark referred to China’s economy -White House

President Joe Biden’s reference to China as a “ticking time bomb” has been explained by a White House official to pertain to internal economic and social pressures that might influence China’s global interactions.

The president’s assertion, made during a political fundraiser, highlighted China’s economic and societal challenges, suggesting potential repercussions for international behavior.

“At the event, Biden expressed concerns about China’s difficulties, stating, “When bad folks have problems, they do bad things.””

He characterized China as a “ticking time bomb,” though he misstated the nation’s growth rate, asserting a decrease from 8 percent to around 2 percent per year. However, China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported a growth of 4.5 percent in Q1 and 6.3 percent in Q2, with GDP up by 0.8 percent in April-June after a 2.2 percent expansion in Q1.

“Emphasizing the desire for a rational relationship with China, Biden’s comments drew attention to concerns over China’s behavior. White House spokesperson John Kirby noted specific worries about China’s tendency to use high-interest infrastructure loans for intimidation, followed by asset seizures upon default”.

China’s response to Biden’s remarks was sharp, with the Chinese embassy cautioning against scapegoating and exacerbating division.

The embassy highlighted China’s GDP growth as significant global support, opposing attempts to undermine its prospects.

Amid these developments, experts observed that Biden’s remarks might be aimed at deflecting domestic issues and boosting his presidential campaign. Chinese state-run media outlet Global Times echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that targeting China could divert voters’ attention from pressing US domestic problems.

Despite recent high-level exchanges, no substantial improvement in US-China relations has been observed.

“Experts suggested that, due to the persistent differences in policies and issues such as Taiwan and the high-tech sector, the US might adopt a more assertive stance towards China”.

“Amid this complex relationship, Kirby acknowledged the importance of communication improvement while reiterating the US’s consistent stance against China’s behavior and coercion. Kirby did not address whether Biden’s comments would impact the planned meeting between President Biden and President Xi Jinping, potentially taking place during the Group of 20 leaders summit next month”.