U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is rousing NATO member-states to collectively confront the threat posed by China to the rules-based international order and its wanton disregard for the norms that keep the world at peace.
In another of his attacks on China, Blinken Wednesday urged NATO to push back against China's aggression alongside the United States. He said the U.S. views China as an economic and security threat to NATO and its 30 member-states, especially in technology.
"There's no question that Beijing's coercive behavior threatens our collective security and prosperity and that it is actively working to undercut the rules of the international system and the values we and our allies share," said Blinken in an address at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
"When one of us is coerced we should respond as allies and work together to reduce our vulnerability by insuring our economies are more integrated with each other."
Blinken also assailed China's militarization of the South China Sea, its use of predatory economics that leaves countries heavily indebted to China, intellectual property theft and relentless human rights abuses.
He did, however, acknowledge Europe's complicated relationship with China might prevent NATO from taking more forceful action. He vowed the U.S. will "close the gaps in areas like technology and infrastructure, which China is exploiting to exert coercive pressure. We will rely on innovation, not ultimatums."
Blinken also said the U.S. won't force its European allies into an "us or them choice" choice.
"We know that our allies have complex relationships with China that won't always align perfectly with ours. But we need to navigate these challenges together," noted Blinken.
"That means working with our allies to close the gaps in areas like technology and infrastructure, where Beijing is exploiting to exert coercive pressure.
"When one of us is coerced we should respond as allies and work together to reduce our vulnerability by insuring our economies are more integrated with each other," said Blinken.
Blinken re-emphasized U.S. support for NATO, and called for reinvigorating NATO's military capabilities and readiness, including nuclear deterrence and digital warfare.
"America is fully committed to NATO, including Article 5," said Blinken in reference to the mechanism that ensures mutual defense among NATO members.
Blinkien urged NATO to take a firm, shared position against Russia, in an obvious reference to Germany and its economic ties with Moscow.
"Ultimately, I think what we can hope is to have a relationship with Russia that is at least predictable and stable," according to Blinken.
"Even as we work with Russia to advance our interests and advance alliance interests, we will also work to hold Russia to account for its reckless and adversary actions."
On a less strident note, Blinken said there's still space to cooperate with China on common groundlike climate change and health security.
