THE Joe Biden meets the Chinese president Xi Jinping for the last time as US president on Saturday, with the two leaders’ main aim to reduce tensions ahead of his inauguration Donald Trump.
However, last-ditch efforts to improve the climate are hampered by perennial or newer open issues between the two countries that come to the fore in para five, from cybercrime and trade to Taiwan and Russia.
Biden and Xi will meet on the sidelines of the forum Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Lima, Peru, where they will hold talks for the first time in seven months.
The leaders of the Pacific region, as part of the forum, are expected to ”weigh in” the implications of Trump’s impending return in the White House, as president of the USA, on January 20.
The exact time of the Biden-Xi meeting has not been announced, but it is taking place at a time when there is irritation in Washington about recent hacking of telephone communications of US government officials and the presidential campaign, linked to China. In addition, the US is concerned about Beijing’s increasing pressure on Taiwan, as well as Chinese support for Russia.
On the other hand, Beijing’s anger is expected to be provoked by a visit by the president of Taiwan Lai Ching-te at Hawaii and perhaps in Guam of the USA, scheduled for the next few weeks, as reported by Reuters yesterday.
China considers Taiwan as its own territory. The US is its most important international supporter and arms supplier, although it has not officially recognized it diplomatically.
In addition, Beijing’s economy is being hit hard by Biden’s trade measureswhich include a plan to limit US investment in Chinese artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductors, as well as a plan to impose restrictions on exports of high-tech computer chips.
All these issues will be on the agenda of the meeting, according to US officials.
China has repeatedly denied US claims of hacking, considers Taiwan an internal matter and has protested US comments on Sino-Russian trade.
What does Trump bring?
Trump has promised tariffs of 60% on imports of Chinese products in the US, as part of the package of trade measures in light of the ”America First” idea that dominated his election campaign. Beijing has reacted to the announcements of these measures.
The Republican president-elect has also chosen some of Beijing’s most iconic ”warriors” to staff his new administration, including US Sen. Marco Rubiowho is being anointed for the position of US Secretary of State and Mike Waltzfor the position of national security adviser.
On Wednesday, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivanwarned that the transition is “a period that competitors and adversaries may see as an opportunity”. Biden will point out to Xi “the need to maintain stability, clarity, and predictability between the United States and China during this transition“, US officials said.
On the other hand, Shen Dingli, a Shanghai-based international relations scholar, said China is also seeking through the meeting to ease tensions of the transition period. “China certainly does not want relations with the United States to go into turmoil before Trump officially takes office,” Sen commented.
China’s “charm attack” on Latin America
The South American summit highlights the challenges the United States faces in asserting its power in its own neighborhood, where China is launching a ”
Xi, who arrived in Lima on Thursday, plans a “diplomatic surprise” tour of Latin America lasting a total of one week, which includes a renewed free trade agreement with Peru, with the inauguration of the country’s massive Changkai seaport. Next week, he will pay an official visit to Brazil.
China has expressed interest in Latin American ores, soybeans and other commodities, but U.S. officials worry it may also be interested in development new military and spy bases in the “soft underbelly” of the US. The state-sponsored Chinese media has characterized these claims as slanderous.
An American official, commenting on the context in which the forum is being held, claimed that Washington’s commitment to the region is strong while he argued that Chinese investment in overseas infrastructure has declined in recent years amid internal challenges and problems with the projects.
But Ryan Berg, head of the Americas program at Center for Strategic and International Studies a Washington think tank, said Xi would be well received in the region.
“Biden’s trip is sure to be overshadowed by Xi Jinping’s actions,” he said, adding: “Xi’s meeting with Biden is not only aimed at the White House or the US government. It also targets the American business community in continued and renewed American investment in China as well as eliminating the belief that the business environment in the country is hostile.”
How might Donald Trump’s foreign policy affect US-China relations after he potentially takes office again?
Interview between Time.news Editor and International Relations Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have with us Dr. Amanda Wong, an expert in international relations and East Asian politics. Dr. Wong, thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Wong: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. As we know, President Biden is set to meet with President Xi Jinping for what could be a pivotal discussion before Donald Trump takes office again. What’s at stake in this meeting?
Dr. Wong: Absolutely, there’s a lot at stake. This meeting is crucial because it’s happening during a transitional period in US leadership, which can create vulnerabilities that both nations could exploit. Biden and Xi aim to reduce tensions, especially with various contentious issues like cyber security, trade disputes, Taiwan, and support for Russia on the table.
Editor: Speaking of contentious issues, the article mentions recent cyber intrusions linked to China. How do these factors complicate the meeting?
Dr. Wong: They complicate things significantly. The hacking of US government communications has created a hostile atmosphere. If Biden raises these issues, it might be perceived as confrontational, undermining the goal of finding common ground. On the other hand, if these serious concerns are overlooked, it could be seen as a sign of weakness.
Editor: Interesting point. There’s also a growing concern regarding Taiwan, especially with Taiwan’s president planning visits to the US. How does this factor into the discussions?
Dr. Wong: Taiwan remains a critical flashpoint in US-China relations. China views any US-Taiwan interaction as a blatant infringement on its sovereignty, and such visits can elevate tensions. The timing of these discussions is critical, and Biden will need to navigate this with care to avoid provoking Beijing further.
Editor: And then there’s the looming threat of Donald Trump’s potential tariffs on Chinese goods once he takes office. How do you think this will influence Xi’s approach?
Dr. Wong: Xi will likely be very cautious. Trump’s proposed tariffs could destabilize China’s economy further, so Xi might seek to maneuver diplomatically to manage trade relations and avoid escalating tensions even more. Nonetheless, he must balance this with domestic pressures—China’s national pride and the narrative of standing firm against perceived foreign aggression.
Editor: The summit is also set against a backdrop of increased Chinese influence in Latin America. How could this shift the balance of power in the region?
Dr. Wong: Exactly. China’s growing presence in Latin America poses a challenge for the US, traditionally a dominant player in the hemisphere. Xi’s “charm offensive” could facilitate stronger economic ties, which may diminish US influence. This could shift the geopolitics of cooperation and competition in global markets, forcing the US to rethink its strategies in both Latin America and its relations with China.
Editor: Given all these complexities, what can we realistically expect from this meeting?
Dr. Wong: Realistically, I expect both leaders to seek to maintain stability and predictability in their relationship. They will likely address urgent issues, but substantial breakthroughs may not happen immediately. The nature of international diplomacy often requires time to build trust, especially following a transition of power in the US.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Wong, for your insights on this intricate situation. It appears we have quite a lot to watch for in the coming days.
Dr. Wong: Thank you for having me. It’s always engaging to discuss the dynamics of US-China relations, and I look forward to seeing how this develops.
Editor: And thank you to our readers for tuning in. Stay informed with Time.news as we continue to cover these unfolding events.