U.S. will not leave Australia to China: Blinken

Washington has repeatedly criticized what it says are Beijing's attempts to bully neighbors with competing interests, and U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to bolster ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's growing power."We've been very clear, both publicly and privately, about the concerns that we have when we see China exerting economic coercion, generally and also specifically, with regard to our ally," Blinken said at a press briefing with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne."And we've made clear to the PRC how such actions targeting our closest partners and allies will hinder improvements in our own relationship with China," Blinken said, using the acronym for the country's official name.China has imposed a series of trade sanctions on Australian exports ranging from wine to coal as the two countries tensions have worsened in recent years.