WASHINGTON—A Biden administration plan to work with allies to confront China is being put to the test as the U.S. tries to rally countries with sometimes different interests to pursue a coordinated strategy against Beijing.
How to handle China has been a recurring topic in many of the dozens of calls President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials have made to counterparts during the administration’s first weeks in office, according to officials. The outreach includes showing support for countries with territorial and other conflicts with Beijing—such as Japan, India and Australia—while trying to enlist European nations, who now count China as a major trading partner.
The effort is reaping some early gains, including extending an agreement with Japan on the hosting of U.S. troops and closing in on a similar pact with South Korea.
In appealing to work together, the Biden administration is also having to listen to partners’ concerns that go beyond China.
In his call with Mr. Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the recent coup in Myanmar took up most of the 40-minute discussion.
