At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held recently in Lima, Peru, the world's gaze turned to the pivotal meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This encounter carried immense weight, particularly as it marks what many are calling their last dialogue before Joe Biden hands over the reins of leadership to Donald Trump, who is expected to resume his role as president next January. Both leaders underscored the urgency of maintaining stable relations during this delicate transition period.
On the sidelines of the APEC summit at the Delfines Hotel and Convention Center, the meeting began with the customary handshake, symbolizing the importance of diplomatic ties between the two superpowers. Biden, flanked by key advisors including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, was set on reinforcing the groundwork established during his presidency.
“China is ready to work with the new U.S. administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences,” Xi told Biden, reflecting China’s interest in fostering stability amid the impending changes. He emphasized the need for both nations to avoid viewing each other as adversaries, advocating for cooperation rather than contention.
Conversely, Biden expressed confidence in the progress made throughout their discussions. “We haven’t always agreed, but our conversations have always been candid and frank,” he remarked, stressing the value of direct communication to avoid misunderstandings and potential conflicts. He underscored significant advancements during his tenure, including military-to-military dialogue and collaborative initiatives targeting substance abuse.
This meeting was not just about historical progress; it was also about addressing future uncertainties. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan indicated the discussions should focus on ensuring competition with China does not escalate to conflict, especially with Trump's hawkish approach toward China looming on the horizon.
The pressure of Trump's potential return escalates the stakes for U.S.-China relations. During Trump's previous term, he engaged China with aggressive trade policies, including the initiation of tariffs and the launch of a trade war, driven by allegations of unfair trading practices. The hardline stance he adopted could re-emerge, leading to intensified scrutiny of China's economic behaviors, particularly concerning imports and intellectual property rights.
Four years ago, when Trump was last president, he had repeatedly criticized China, labeling it as the United States' primary strategic competitor. He promised tariffs of unprecedented scale, and he surrounded himself with advisors known for their tough take on China, which included former Defense Secretary Mike Esper and CIA head John Ratcliffe. With such figures expected to return to key positions under Trump, there’s palpable concern over how this might reshape the already tenuous relations between Washington and Beijing.
Biden's administration has largely preserved Trump's tariffs and has ramped up regulatory measures aimed at curbing China’s market dominance, particularly concerning technology sectors like artificial intelligence and high-tech manufacturing. Trump, during his campaign, hinted at even stricter policies, indicating he might levy tariffs as high as 60%, which would complicate trade relations significantly.
A central concern for both leaders remains Taiwan, which China views as its territory, poised for re-unification by any means necessary. Tensions surrounding Taiwan pose one of the greatest challenges to U.S.-China interactions. The contentious issue arises from the U.S.'s unofficial support of Taiwan, demonstrated through arms sales and high-profile visits by American lawmakers.
Xi's approach hinted at his awareness of these issues. He stated, “If they regard each other as opponents or enemies, competition will merely breed conflict.” He called for more positive integration on both sides, arguing for cooperation over competition as the foundation for future relations.
While the discussions aimed to prepare for potential disruptions following Trump’s return, both leaders recognized the global challenges affecting their nations and the world at large. Xi referred to the shifting global economic environment, recognizing the rising tides of unilateralism and protectionism, and he reiterated the importance of multilateral cooperation.
Tension, particularly over trade and military matters, has characterized the last few years of U.S.-China relations and paints the backdrop of this meeting. Sullivan highlighted the importance of establishing communication channels to prevent miscalculations between the two nations, urging against any form of escalated aggression.
After their closed-door discussions, both leaders expressed cautious optimism about managing the fruitful engagement they’ve appreciated. They may not have resolved every issue, but their dialogue underlines the complex yet necessary relationship between the two countries.
With Trump's presidency potentially pivoting the U.S. foreign policy back to confrontation, the stakes of diplomatic engagement have never been higher. The coming months may reveal whether the groundwork laid by Biden with Xi can endure under the strain of changing leadership and national priorities.
The bilateral meeting at the APEC summit, as the last for Biden before Trump's anticipated return, showcased the sensitivity of global geopolitics where personal leadership styles can drastically reshape international relations. For now, both leaders aimed to balance maintaining their hard-fought progress against the ever-looming specter of change.
