Nov 17, V7N- At the Asia-Pacific summit in Lima, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with outgoing US President Joe Biden to discuss the state of US-China relations and the transition of power in the US. This meeting, their third overall, came as concerns about potential diplomatic and trade tensions loomed, especially with Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House.

Xi expressed China’s readiness to work with the new US administration, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable relations. "China is ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences, so as to strive for a smooth transition of the China-US relationship," Xi said in translated remarks.

Both leaders noted the progress made in easing tensions between their countries. Biden, reflecting on their efforts, stated, "Our two countries cannot let any of this competition veer into conflict. That's our responsibility, and over the last four years, I think we've proven it's possible to have this relationship."

Concerns Over Trump’s Return

Trump's return to the Oval Office has raised concerns about the future of US-China ties, particularly as he has signaled a confrontational approach toward Beijing. In his previous term, Trump initiated a trade war with China, imposing tariffs on Chinese imports, which led to retaliatory measures from China. During his campaign, Trump suggested he could impose tariffs of up to 60 percent on Chinese goods.

Xi urged both countries to inject "more certainty and positive energy into the turbulent world," in contrast to the uncertainty Trump’s return might bring. The US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, reinforced the importance of stability in US-China relations during this transition period but clarified that Biden was not a channel for any backchannel messages from Xi to Trump.

Key Points of Tension

During the meeting, Biden raised several issues of concern, including Taiwan and Beijing’s support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Biden expressed "deep concern" over China’s support for Russia’s defense industry and condemned the deployment of troops by North Korea, China’s ally, to Russia.

However, both leaders sought to calm tensions and emphasize cooperation as they face a rapidly changing global landscape.

Climate and Trade Issues

The shadow of Trump’s policies, including his "America First" approach and criticisms of global climate agreements, also loomed large during discussions. Xi reiterated his concerns about rising protectionism globally, while Biden worked to reinforce ties with key allies, including Japan and South Korea, ahead of Trump’s return.

Biden’s visit to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and participation in the G20 summit next week will further highlight the climate agenda, a key point of contention with Trump, who has been critical of international climate pacts and has advocated for increased fossil fuel drilling.

The meeting between Xi and Biden thus marked an important moment in US-China relations, with both leaders seeking to ensure a smooth transition and minimize tensions ahead of Trump’s return to the White House.

END/WD/RH/