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Interview

'Dangerous period' ahead for US and China, Australia's Rudd warns

Ex-PM fears Taiwan crisis between election and inauguration days in Washington

Former Australian Prime Minister and ASPI President Kevin Rudd: He sees an urgent need for the U.S. and China to "stabilize" their relationship when it comes to Taiwan.   © Reuters

SYDNEY -- Australia's former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is sounding the alarm about U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan, warning a full-blown crisis is an all too real possibility -- especially during a potentially rocky period following Tuesday's American presidential election.

Friction between the two superpowers continued to escalate this week after the U.S. approved a $2.37 billion missile sale to Taiwan. Rudd, in an interview with Nikkei Asia, said he is hopeful that "calmer heads will prevail" but remains wary of Washington's and Beijing's tit-for-tat moves.

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