03:54Mandatory credit: US Department of State
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said President Joe Biden's leadership should be judged on his record - and not just 'one night' - after the leader was criticised for his performance in the first presidential debate last week, speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, Monday.
"When our country is not engaged, when we're not leading, then either one of two things, either someone else is and probably not in a way that advances our own interests and values," Blinken said.
"I think what the world knows - the world has experienced over three and a half years, not one night - is exactly the kind of leadership that he's brought to bear on problems that are common in so many countries, particularly so many of the democracies around the world," he added.
Blinken claimed Biden had 'led the way' in getting 'more than 30 countries' to reach bilateral security deals with Kiev.
"These agreements, now, I think nearly 20, had actually been negotiated and signed, including by the president and President Zelensky a few weeks ago," he said.
On China, he also claimed there was 'fusion' between the military and civilian sectors. He has previously accused Beijing of supplying 'dual use' items for Russia's defence industry, while both those countries have accused Washington of 'interference' in legitimate trade.
During Thursday's debate Biden and Donald Trump clashed over tax, the border, Trump's ongoing legal issues, China, the Ukraine conflict - and even their golf handicaps.
According to media reports, Biden appeared to stumbled and freeze a number of times, with his campaign claiming he was suffering from a cold. A snap poll found Trump the clear winner with 67 percent of those watching backing his performance to 33 percent for Biden.
It's not just about one night! - Blinken defends Biden's leadership amid criticism over first presidential debate
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said President Joe Biden's leadership should be judged on his record - and not just 'one night' - after the leader was criticised for his performance in the first presidential debate last week, speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, Monday.
"When our country is not engaged, when we're not leading, then either one of two things, either someone else is and probably not in a way that advances our own interests and values," Blinken said.
"I think what the world knows - the world has experienced over three and a half years, not one night - is exactly the kind of leadership that he's brought to bear on problems that are common in so many countries, particularly so many of the democracies around the world," he added.
Blinken claimed Biden had 'led the way' in getting 'more than 30 countries' to reach bilateral security deals with Kiev.
"These agreements, now, I think nearly 20, had actually been negotiated and signed, including by the president and President Zelensky a few weeks ago," he said.
On China, he also claimed there was 'fusion' between the military and civilian sectors. He has previously accused Beijing of supplying 'dual use' items for Russia's defence industry, while both those countries have accused Washington of 'interference' in legitimate trade.
During Thursday's debate Biden and Donald Trump clashed over tax, the border, Trump's ongoing legal issues, China, the Ukraine conflict - and even their golf handicaps.
According to media reports, Biden appeared to stumbled and freeze a number of times, with his campaign claiming he was suffering from a cold. A snap poll found Trump the clear winner with 67 percent of those watching backing his performance to 33 percent for Biden.
Mandatory credit: US Department of State
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said President Joe Biden's leadership should be judged on his record - and not just 'one night' - after the leader was criticised for his performance in the first presidential debate last week, speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, Monday.
"When our country is not engaged, when we're not leading, then either one of two things, either someone else is and probably not in a way that advances our own interests and values," Blinken said.
"I think what the world knows - the world has experienced over three and a half years, not one night - is exactly the kind of leadership that he's brought to bear on problems that are common in so many countries, particularly so many of the democracies around the world," he added.
Blinken claimed Biden had 'led the way' in getting 'more than 30 countries' to reach bilateral security deals with Kiev.
"These agreements, now, I think nearly 20, had actually been negotiated and signed, including by the president and President Zelensky a few weeks ago," he said.
On China, he also claimed there was 'fusion' between the military and civilian sectors. He has previously accused Beijing of supplying 'dual use' items for Russia's defence industry, while both those countries have accused Washington of 'interference' in legitimate trade.
During Thursday's debate Biden and Donald Trump clashed over tax, the border, Trump's ongoing legal issues, China, the Ukraine conflict - and even their golf handicaps.
According to media reports, Biden appeared to stumbled and freeze a number of times, with his campaign claiming he was suffering from a cold. A snap poll found Trump the clear winner with 67 percent of those watching backing his performance to 33 percent for Biden.