Joe Biden says US considering diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics

Citing China’s human rights abuses, President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States is considering a diplomatic boycott of next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing. If it goes through, the move will keep the American dignitaries, but not athletes, away from the games.

Speaking to reporters as he hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office, Biden said backing a boycott of the Olympics in February is “something we’re considering.”

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During each Olympics, representing nations traditionally send high-level delegations to the host countries. First lady Jill Biden led the American contingent to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo this year and the second gentleman Doug Emhoff led a delegation to the Paralympic Games.

While the participation of American athletes remains unaffected, international advocacy groups and some members of the US Congress have called for a symbolic boycott of the games in Beijing over China’s treatment of Uyghurs and its crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong. 

Biden virtually met Chinese supremo Xi Jinping on Monday, however, the White House said the Olympics did not come up. 

Rumours had been circulating that Xi would use the meeting to invite Biden to attend the Games in-person, according to NBC reports.    

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Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there was no timeline for a decision by the president on whether to go through with a possible boycott. 

The ties between US and China were just seeming to improve after Monday’s talks between Biden and Jinping. The Chinese president called for improved communication between the two countries to build consensus and strengthen their bilateral ties.

But any potential boycott could bitter the seemingly improving ties. Chinese government officials have warned of a “robust Chinese response” to any potential boycotts.