A trip down under, despite the mounting crisis over Ukraine?
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Melbourne to begin key talks with Asia Pacific allies.
Departing Washington for an important trip to the Indo-Pacific region. Looking forward to productive meetings with leaders and communities to promote our shared values and advance our goals in the #IndoPacific. pic.twitter.com/mKZUGw6GOh
But he clearly has a difficult task ahead. The US is fighting multiple issues, confronting Russia, Talks with NATO, while still fighting the war on terror.
The top US diplomat admitted the possibility of Russia invading Ukraine has been “front and centre” for the US government, even as he flew to Melbourne for the fourth Quad foreign minister meetings.
Blinken left for Australia only hours after a Washington press conference with top EU officials to confirm a united front on the threat of over 100,00 thousand Russian troops at Ukraine’s border.
The world has turned their attention to Beijing… as the host city of the winter games. But the U.S have never taken their eyes off China.
The U.S is tightening its focus on the growing relationship between Beijing and Moscow
China’s expanding influence remains the top priority for the US, and this will be discussed when Blinken joins the Quad Meeting, made up by the US, Japan, India and Australia
China’s economic strength and growing military might, and now its growing alliance with Russia, comes at a time when America can no longer impose its power.
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Marise Payne, Australia’s minister for foreign affairs, says the Quad ministers will work together on vaccine distribution in the Indo-Pacific regions, cyber tech, counter-terrorism and even climate change.
Blinken continues with his tour on Saturday.. where he will fly to Fiji to continue relations in the region.
