In a sudden escalation following talks between the United States and China aimed at reducing tensions, President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “dictator” during a campaign fundraiser in California.

Biden’s remark was sparked by his suggestion that Xi may have been unaware of a supposed Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States earlier this year, despite his influential position as China’s leader.

China swiftly responded to the comments, denouncing them as “extremely absurd and irresponsible.”

Interestingly, these remarks from the U.S. President came just a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s high-level visit to Beijing, which sought to ease tensions between the two nations, NBC News reported.

Following his visit, Blinken stated in an interview with NBC News that the issue regarding the spy balloon should be resolved, and both sides expressed their commitment to stabilizing the overall relationship.

Written by staff