US to discuss joint-boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics with allies

The United States, along with the UK, UE, and Canada, have been vocal about China and their egregious human rights abuses, specifically China’s treatment of the Uighur Muslims which is at the forefront of the international boycott.

In early February, the White House asserted it "had no plans" for a boycott, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki indicating "We’re not currently talking about changing our posture or our plans as it relates to the Beijing Olympics."

However, the Biden administration’s plans may have changed.

The US will now join their allies in discussions of boycotting the 2022 Winter Olympics, with Canada being the most vocal and upfront in parliament about China’s inhumane treatment of their civilians—which obviously has China fumed as they continue to deny mistreatment.

The Department of State spokesperson, Ned Price, announced the joint-boycott during a daily briefing on Tuesday.

"It (a joint boycott) is something that we certainly wish to discuss," Ned Price said to reporters during Tuesday's briefing. "A coordinated approach will not only be in our interest but also in the interest of our allies and partners.”

Although the US is set to enter discussions, Price made it clear that the US has yet to decide to pull their participation from the Olympic Games.

"We're talking about 2022, and we are still in April of 2021, so these Games remain some time away," said Price. "I wouldn't want to put a time frame on it, but these discussions are underway."

"As I said, we don’t have any announcement regarding the Beijing Olympics. 2022 remains a ways off, but we will continue to consult closely with allies and partners to define our common concerns and establish our shared approach to the PRC," explained Price in a tweet.

Although China and its inhumane treatment of civilians needs to be addressed, boycotting the Olympics would mean crushing the dreams of athletes who have waited their whole lives to compete in the Olympic Games.

The Winter Olympic Games in Beijing is scheduled to take place from February 4 to February 20 of 2022.