Joe Biden says ‘remains to be seen’ if he runs for second term as US president

Joe Biden, 80 in November, also said in a TV interview that US forces would defend Taiwan, in statements later clarified.

US President Joe Biden. Picture: AFP

US President Joe Biden said in an interview aired Sunday that he has yet to decide whether he will seek a second term in 2024, despite previously having stated he will run again.

President Biden also stated that US forces would defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, while the White House said Washington’s policy was unchanged.

Biden, who turns 80 in November, told CBS’ “60 Minutes” program that re-election is his “intention.”

“But it’s just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen,” he said.

“It’s much too early,” Biden said, calling himself “a great respecter of fate.”

When it was pointed out that he was already the oldest person ever in the job, Biden shot back: “pretty good shape, huh?”

To the question of whether he was fit, Biden said simply: “Watch me,” arguing that the way to judge him was by his actions.

“It’s a matter of that old expression of ‘proof of the pudding,’” he said. But Biden acknowledged that his low approval ratings reflected that the country is in “a really difficult time.”

Previously, the White House said repeatedly that Biden will run again in 2024.

US troops would defend Taiwan

Asked by the CBS “60 Minutes” program whether US troops would defend Taiwan, Biden said “yes,” if it were “an unprecedented attack.”

This was not the first time that Biden has declared US forces would take part in a war between China and Taiwan, with the White House appearing to walk back his comments afterwards. The previous time was in May during a visit to Japan.

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, switching recognition to Beijing as the sole representative of China, with the mainland becoming a major trading partner.

But at the same time, the United States maintained a decisive, if at times delicate, role in supporting Taiwan.

Under a law passed by Congress, the United States is required to sell Taiwan military supplies to ensure its self-defence against Beijing’s vastly larger armed forces.

But it has maintained what is officially called “strategic ambiguity” on whether it would actually intervene militarily.

The policy is designed both to ward off a Chinese invasion and discourage Taiwan from ever provoking Beijing by formally declaring independence.

Asked if the latest statement from Biden signalled a change in that strategic ambiguity, a White House spokesman said: “The president has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn’t changed. That remains true.”

AFP