U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday delivered the annual State of the Union address, which for the first time ever, included a mention of the Taiwan Strait. Biden said the U.S. was standing up against China’s unfair economic practices, as well as standing up for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The president also touched on other pressing international issues, saying he was working on securing a ceasefire in Gaza, and reiterating his support for Ukraine against Russia.

In his last State of the Union address of his current term, U.S. President Joe Biden did not start off with national affairs. Instead he focused on reasserting support for Ukraine, saying he would not give up.

Joe Biden
US president
Ukraine can stop Putin, if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons. We will not bow down. I will not bow down.

With the U.S. presidential election approaching, Biden slammed former president Donald Trump, his likely rival.

Joe Biden
US president
A former Republican president tells Putin, quote “Do whatever the hell you want.” That’s a quote.

Biden also touched on the Israel-Hamas war. He said he had been working to secure a six-week ceasefire and establish a temporary port to get more humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Joe Biden
US president
I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza.

Biden also took aim at the U.S.’ biggest rival, China. For the first time, he brought up the security of the Taiwan Strait in his State of the Union address.

Joe Biden
US president
We’re standing up against China’s unfair economic practices and standing up for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The most advanced American technologies can’t be used in China, not allowing to trade them there. Frankly, for all his tough talk on China, it never occurred to my predecessor to do any of that.

Turning to domestic affairs, Biden spoke about the American economy. He called for higher taxes for rich people and large companies. He also called for a crackdown on high medication prices, and policies to bring down the cost of housing.

Behind Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris often stood up to applaud Biden’s remarks, while House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson of the Republican Party stayed still in his chair. When Biden touched on controversial topics, the room’s Democrats would break out in applause, while the Republicans remained dead silent. The division between the two parties was palpable throughout.

Outside, protesters had organized a rally in calling for a ceasefire in Palestine. With Biden hitting new lows in the polls, and facing pressures inside and outside the U.S., the president tried to use his address to consolidate support.

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