2024-11-16 22:58:00
Chinese President Xi Jinping assured his American counterpart Joe Biden that Beijing will work towards “smooth transition” in China-United States relations, Saturday during a final official tête-à-tête between the two leaders, after an Asia-Pacific summit in a context of uncertainties linked to the re-election of Donald Trump.
Both countries should “continue to explore the right path” to get along and “achieve long-term peaceful coexistence”added Mr. Xi, quoted by the state agency Xinhua, during the meeting held at the end of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
Joe Biden arrived a little before 4:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. GMT) at the hotel where Xi Jinping is staying, for this last meeting before Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January. The two leaders have been in the Peruvian capital since Thursday to participate with other heads of state and government in the 31st edition of the Apec summit, which brings together 21 economies accounting for 60% of world GDP.
During a closed-door discussion session in the morning, President Xi discussed the “challenges such as geopolitics, unilateralism and rising protectionism”. In this context, “we must unite and cooperate”he said to the leaders of the Pacific economies, quoted by Chinese state television CCTV.
Towards “isolationism and denial”
Closing the summit, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte welcomed the consensus reached on the “Lima road map”pour “promote the transition to the formal and global economy” of the informal economy, which is prevalent in several countries in the region. Then she handed over the presidency of Apec to South Korea, which will host the summit in 2025.
The Biden-Xi meeting is their third and final, before the 81-year-old Democrat cedes the presidency in January to Donald Trump. According to American officials, this tête-à-tête aims to capitalize on the historic meeting which helped ease tensions a year ago, at the same annual Apec summit in San Francisco.
Relations between China and the United States have deteriorated in recent years, due to disagreements over trade, the status of Taiwan, human rights and technological competition. However, the bilateral dialogue was maintained as best it could. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stressed this week «l’importance» of the meeting between the two leaders, in order to “manage (bilateral) relations in this delicate period of transition”. According to Mr. Sullivan, the questions of tensions in the South China Sea and the maintenance of lines of communication – military in particular – should also be addressed during the tête-à-tête, “not just a meeting to say goodbye”.
“Turbulence”, and unpredictability
The shadow of Donald Trump, who has already appointed hardliners against Beijing to his team, must have hung over their discussions. During his campaign, the billionaire promised to protect American industry, threatening to impose tariffs of 10 to 20% on imported products and up to 60% on those from China.
During his first term (2017-2021), he had already deeply disrupted bilateral economic relations, by triggering a trade war to force Beijing to buy American products and rebalance a trade balance. Already on Friday, Xi Jinping warned “against the rise of unilateralism and protectionism” and judged that the world was “entered a new period of turbulence and transformation”.
Concern relayed by Joe Biden, who estimated, on the sidelines of a meeting with his allies in the Pacific region Japan and South Korea, that “we have now reached a moment of significant political change”. After Lima, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping will travel to Brazil to participate in the G20.
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What are the key differences in U.S.-China relations under Biden compared to what might be expected under a Trump presidency?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Chen, China-U.S. Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Today, we’re joined by Dr. Emily Chen, a leading expert on China-U.S. relations, to discuss the recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden at the APEC summit in Peru. Dr. Chen, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Chen:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** The meeting took place against a backdrop of uncertainty, especially with Donald Trump expected to return to the White House in January. How significant is this meeting for the future of U.S.-China relations?
**Dr. Chen:** It’s quite significant. This was their third and final meeting before a potential shift in U.S. leadership. President Xi’s emphasis on a “smooth transition” indicates a desire to stabilize relations before Trump assumes office again. Both leaders recognized the need for dialogue amidst rising tensions over various issues, from trade to geopolitical conflicts.
**Editor:** What were some key points discussed during their conversation?
**Dr. Chen:** Xi highlighted the importance of tackling global challenges like unilateralism and protectionism, urging cooperation among Pacific economies. The meeting also reiterated the goal of achieving long-term peaceful coexistence, which is crucial considering the current state of bilateral relations. Despite disagreements over Taiwan and technology, maintaining open lines of communication is vital.
**Editor:** With tensions on the rise, especially regarding Taiwan and technology, how might U.S. policy shift under a Trump presidency?
**Dr. Chen:** If Trump returns, we could see a shift towards a more aggressive stance on China, as he has previously advocated for tougher measures on trade and military issues. This could lead to increased isolationism and a deterioration of diplomatic ties. However, it’s also possible that a new administration would recognize the need for some form of engagement to manage competition without escalating into conflict.
**Editor:** What are the implications of President Biden and Xi’s discussions for the global economy, particularly in the context of the APEC summit’s “Lima Road Map”?
**Dr. Chen:** The Lima Road Map aims to facilitate the transition of informal economies into formal markets, which is crucial for economic stability in the region. Both leaders’ agreement on promoting a cooperative approach could assist in addressing global economic challenges, particularly as APEC member economies account for 60% of the world’s GDP. A stable U.S.-China relationship is essential for global trade and economic recovery.
**Editor:** looking ahead, what are the main challenges and opportunities for U.S.-China relations as we move into 2025?
**Dr. Chen:** The challenges remain substantial, including trade disputes, military tensions in the South China Sea, and differing ideologies. However, there are opportunities for collaboration, especially in addressing climate change and global health issues. Finding common ground could help both nations manage their rivalry while also contributing positively to global stability.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Chen. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate these complex issues in international relations.
**Dr. Chen:** Thank you for having me.
