Biden concludes foreign diplomacy in region where US overshadowed by China
President Biden is gearing up for what could potentially be his last foreign diplomacy trip, as he prepares to head to South America to meet with global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip will kick off in Lima, Peru, where Biden is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. During the summit, he is expected to have a crucial meeting with Xi, which could mark their final encounter as heads of state, according to a senior administration official.
Following his time in Peru, Biden will make his way to Brazil for the Group of 20 summit, a gathering of the world’s foremost economic powers. This visit will also be historic, as Biden will become the first sitting U.S. president to visit spots in the Amazon rainforest during his time in Brazil.
Biden’s visit to South America comes at a time when the U.S.’s influence in the region has been increasingly overshadowed by China. Experts have noted that the U.S.’s policy towards the region has shifted over the years, with a focus now on issues such as illegal immigration and narcotics, rather than political stability. This shift has allowed China to step in and establish stronger ties with South American countries, filling the void left by the U.S.
For instance, when countries like Uruguay and Ecuador faced challenges in developing free trade agreements with the U.S., they turned to China for support. While the U.S. still holds more trade agreements in South America than China, Beijing has made significant investments in the region, including projects like ports and satellites, as well as mineral and foodstuff purchases.
During his meeting with Xi in Peru, Biden is expected to discuss a range of issues, including military-to-military communications, human rights, fentanyl, artificial intelligence, climate change, cybersecurity, Taiwan, and the incoming Trump administration. This meeting will mark the third in-person encounter between Biden and Xi since Biden took office.
As tensions continue to simmer globally, particularly surrounding Taiwan and the South China Sea, Biden’s trip to South America will be closely watched for any developments in the ongoing power struggle between the U.S. and China. The White House has not yet provided any official comments on the upcoming trip, but all eyes will be on Biden as he navigates these crucial diplomatic meetings in the region.
