U.S. won't force allies into 'us-or-them' choice on China, Blinken to say

[March 24, 2021]    BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to tell NATO allies later on Wednesday that China is a threat to the West but that it will not force anyone to choose sides between Washington and Beijing.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken bumps elbows with Netherland's Foreign Minister Stef Blok as they take part in a North Atlantic Council (NAC) at foreign ministers level, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium March 23, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool

"The United States won’t force allies into an 'us-or-them' choice with China," Blinken, on his maiden voyage to Europe as Washington's top diplomat, will say at NATO headquarters, according to excepts of a speech to be made at 1400 GMT.

"Countries can work with China where possible," he said, noting that climate change was an area where cooperation was necessary.

(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Alison Williams)

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