With the stage set for significant discussions, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are poised to meet this Saturday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru. This encounter is anticipated to be especially consequential as it marks the final meeting between the two leaders before Biden relinquishes his post to Donald Trump, who has indicated his intent to adopt a far more confrontational stance toward Beijing during his impending second term.
Biden arrived at the summit on Thursday, closely followed by Xi, who touched down just hours prior. The leaders are expected to address several pressing global issues, including trade, climate change, and rising tensions over military activities within the Asia-Pacific region. Notably absent from the summit, President Vladimir Putin of Russia will also cast a shadow over the proceedings, as discussions likely veer toward his country's influence on the current geopolitical climate.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan briefed reporters, highlighting the intention for rough waters ahead. He indicated, "This meeting will focus on areas of difference and how to manage those differences moving forward," particularly underscoring growing concerns over China's support for Russia amid its continued actions against Ukraine. Sullivan reiterated Biden's aim to portray the need for stability, clarity, and predictability within US-China ties during this transitional phase of power.
Both leaders are expected to engage on the topic of Trump's potential tariffs—a subject steeped in anxiety. Trump's administration attempted to levy tariffs of varying percentages on Chinese goods to both reinforce American industries and address perceived trade imbalances, resulting in retaliatory measures from Beijing. Whatever agenda is discussed, it is clear it will be overshadowed by this impending shift, which could lead to renewed trade tensions.
Besides economic concerns, the two heads of state are poised to touch on defense matters, particularly China's growing military assertiveness, particularly over Taiwan, and its burgeoning alliance with Russia. China’s renewed military capabilities and its bold moves concerning Taiwan have led to increased US military presence and partnerships with its Asian allies, including Japan and South Korea.
Xinhua, the official state-run newspaper of China, has asserted Beijing's commitment to establish "true multilateralism" during the APEC conference. Xi is expected to reiterate this point, especially as China pushes for enhanced cooperation through its Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at bolstering infrastructure throughout Latin America and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Peru finds itself on high alert amid the summit, having stationed more than 13,000 troops to maintain order and security as violent demonstrations erupt from local populations, concerned about rising crime rates and government indifference. Protest occurrences overshadow the event itself, which users fear could spiral out of control.
Despite the shifting political tides and turbulent topics on the agenda, any meaningful outcomes from the meeting may remain elusive. Direct results are not the primary focus; instead, the interaction might serve as merely a check-in opportunity for Biden, aimed at re-establishing some form of dialogue before the expected return of Trump's hardline approach.
Instead of striving for concrete solutions, this meeting could manifest as one where both leaders express the need for diplomacy and communication to work toward de-escalation of differences. The Biden administration has consistently attempted to stabilize attitudes toward China, emphasizing channels of dialogue among military and diplomatic circles.
The forthcoming APEC summit is set not only to include these pivotal discussions but also allows for multilateral engagements with other heads of state. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are among those expected to confer with Biden during the event, as talks aim at bolstering trilateral cooperation amid rising tensions.
For Xi, the summit might represent both opportunity and caution—a chance to inoculate Chinese interests against more formidable confrontations post-transition, and simultaneously to bolster existing partnerships within Asia and globally.
With these complex dynamics at play, questions remain about how bilateral discussions might shape the next chapter of the US-China relationship, as well as how Trump’s return to power could alter those delicate interactions.
