Biden's reference to Xi Jinping as a dictator sparks US-China tensions.

President Biden referred to Xi Jinping as a dictator, causing China to call the remark "extremely absurd and irresponsible" and potentially undoing the progress made during Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to Beijing. Biden's comment came after he explained how he had been embarrassed by a Chinese spy balloon that had gone off course. The downing of the balloon in February further escalated tensions between the US and China, which were already at odds over economic and military issues.