China’s Xi vows to work with Trump during meeting with Biden
Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Biden met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima, Peru, where they discussed a range of issues including cybercrime, trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Russia. This meeting marked the first time the two leaders had spoken in seven months and may be their last before President-elect Trump takes office in January 2025.
During their meeting, Xi assured Biden that China’s goal of a stable and sustainable relationship with the United States remains unchanged, despite the ups and downs in their relationship. He expressed readiness to work with the new U.S. administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation, and manage differences between the two countries.
Biden, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of leader-to-leader talks even after he leaves office. He acknowledged that while he and Xi may not always see eye to eye, their discussions have always been frank and candid.
The looming specter of a reboot of Trump’s “America First” policy, with a focus on higher tariffs, is likely to shape the future of U.S.-China relations. Trump’s trade war with China, which began in 2018, saw tariffs on Chinese imports raised up to 25%, with China responding in kind. While Biden aims to reduce tensions with China, there were few signs of breakthroughs on major issues during his meeting with Xi.
One area of agreement between the two leaders was the importance of human decision-making in the use of nuclear weapons, rather than relying on artificial intelligence. This marks a significant step forward in U.S.-China relations, as it is the first time the issue has been raised between the two countries.
Biden and Xi also discussed North Korea, China’s ally, which has been deepening ties with Russia and even deploying troops in Moscow’s conflict with Ukraine. Biden urged China to use its influence to prevent further escalation in the region and the introduction of more North Korean forces, which goes against China’s stated position of avoiding escalation.
Overall, the meeting between Biden and Xi highlighted the complexities and challenges in the U.S.-China relationship, but also the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. As they navigate through a changing geopolitical landscape, both leaders emphasized the need for communication, cooperation, and managing differences to ensure a stable and sustainable relationship moving forward.
