Latest Antony Blinken News

Blinken begins key China visit as tensions rise over new US foreign aid bill

Apr. 24, 2024 05:08 AM EDT

SHANGHAI (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun a critical trip to China armed with a strengthened diplomatic hand following Senate approval of a foreign aid package that will provide billions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as force TikTok’s...

As Blinken heads to China, these are the major divides he will try to bridge

Apr. 23, 2024 10:52 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is starting three days of talks with senior Chinese officials in Shanghai and Beijing this week with U.S.-China ties at a critical point over numerous global disputes. The mere fact that Blinken is making the trip — shortly...

Israeli leaders criticize expected US sanctions against military unit that could further strain ties

Apr. 21, 2024 16:51 PM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli leaders on Sunday harshly criticized an expected decision by the U.S. to impose sanctions on a unit of ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israeli military. The decision, expected as soon as Monday, would mark the first time the U.S. has imposed sanctions on a...

Blinken will be the latest top US official to visit China in a bid to keep ties on an even keel

Apr. 20, 2024 14:21 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this coming week as Washington and Beijing try to keep ties on an even keel despite major differences on issues from the path to peace in the Middle East to the supply of synthetic opioids that have heightened fears over...

US intelligence finding shows China surging equipment sales to Russia to help war effort in Ukraine

Apr. 19, 2024 13:02 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for use in its war against Ukraine, according to a U.S. assessment. Two senior Biden...

Israel gave US last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7

Apr. 19, 2024 09:28 AM EDT

CAPRI, Italy (AP) — The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received “last minute” information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani,...

G7 ministers eye targeted sanctions on Iran and a message of restraint for Israel at Italy meeting

Apr. 17, 2024 14:34 PM EDT

CAPRI, Italy (AP) — Group of Seven foreign ministers are meeting on the Italian resort island of Capri, with the agenda topped by calls Wednesday for targeted new sanctions against Iran over its attack against Israel and more aid to Ukraine to fight Russia’s war. Under Italy’s...

US Pentagon chief speaks with Chinese counterpart for first time since November 2022

Apr. 16, 2024 09:58 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with China's national defense minister Tuesday morning, in the latest in a series of U.S. steps to improve communications with the Chinese military and reduce unsafe and aggressive incidents in the Indo-Pacific. It was the...

US and Philippines step up strategic partnership as China threats loom in South China Sea

Apr. 12, 2024 19:29 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday reassured the Philippines anew that the U.S. commitment to the country's defense is steadfast amid increasing concerns about provocative Chinese actions in disputed areas of the South China Sea. A day after President Joe Biden...

US airlines ask the Biden administration not to approve additional flights between the US and China

Apr. 11, 2024 19:24 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Large U.S. airlines and some of their unions are asking the Biden administration to stop approving any more flights between the United States and China because of what they call “anti-competitive” policies that China imposes on U.S. carriers. The airlines and...