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Final Biden-Xi Talks Held Before Trump’s Anticipated Comeback

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1 month ago

Nov 17, 2024.

United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their final meeting on Saturday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru. The meeting came amid growing concerns about renewed tensions with Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

The summit, attended by leaders from 21 countries, was overshadowed by the potential for trade wars and diplomatic upheaval.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Trump’s victory over Democrat Kamala Harris has already sparked fears of a revival of his “America First” agenda and strained relations with Beijing.

Biden and Xi’s meeting, their third since Biden took office, focused on stabilizing relations during what the White House described as a “delicate period of transition.” Both leaders emphasized the need to ensure the competition between the two nations does not escalate into open conflict.

Ahead of the face-to-face meeting, Biden and Xi participated in a closed-door retreat alongside leaders from Canada, Chile, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, and Japan. During his address to the APEC forum, Xi expressed concerns about rising “unilateralism and protectionism,” warning of the challenges posed by potential shifts in U.S. policy under Trump.

Biden, in turn, highlighted the importance of strong alliances to navigate a “moment of significant political change.” He emphasized the role of U.S. partnerships in countering shared security threats, including North Korea’s growing ties with Russia amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Trump’s anticipated policies, such as proposed tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese imports, and his expected appointments of China hawks like Marco Rubio to key roles, have signaled a more confrontational U.S. stance. This poses challenges for Biden’s efforts to strengthen ties with allies like Japan and South Korea.

The Biden-Xi discussions also addressed sensitive topics, including tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Both leaders agreed to maintain open communication channels, including military hotlines, to prevent miscalculations and manage rising tensions.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the APEC summit, sought to steady the course of U.S.-China relations during an uncertain and potentially volatile political transition.