US: Biden vows 'to protect' country in SOTU speech

US President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address this week, pledging to work with the United States’ power rival China. He also vowed to protect the country’s sovereignty should China threaten it.

On Tuesday, Biden said during his State of the Union speech that he is committed to working with China to advance US interests. However, he vowed to protect the United States should China attempt to threaten the country’s sovereignty.

“I’m committed to work with China where we can advance American interests and benefit the world,” said Biden. “But make no mistake about it: As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did.”

Biden was referring to the Chinese spy balloon that flew over US airspace last week. A US fighter jet later shot down the balloon over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday. China denied that the balloon was an espionage device.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in attendance along with other members of the cabinet during Biden’s remarks, cancelled a planned trip to Beijing in light of the incident. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have demanded more information about the balloon and the Biden administration’s policy on the Chinese government.

The US leader also touted the legislation that was passed last year that had strong bipartisan support that boosted the country’s semiconductor industry, pledging more. Policies regarding China have strong bipartisan support from a very divided Congress.

“I will make no apologies that we are investing to make America strong. Investing in American innovation, in industries that will define the future, that China intends to be dominating,” said Biden.

The US leader also challenged the Republicans to agree to lift the country’s debt ceiling and support the tax policies for the middle class. The US leader used his speech to outline progressive priorities that Republicans have largely opposed. Some Republicans heckled Biden during his remarks, to which the US leader challenged the GOP to lift the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling in the coming months to avoid going into default.

The White House has previously said that Biden will not negotiate over the need to lift the debt ceiling as Republicans are demanding spending cuts to programs such as Social Security and Medicare.