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In Indonesia, from Tuesday, November 15, rich countries and major emerging economies meet for the G20 summit, the first face-to-face meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic. The leaders have a packed agenda as the global economy reels under pressure from inflation, energy and food crises, largely fueled by the war in Ukraine. And what holds the attention, it is especially the meeting between the American and Chinese presidents.
The two men are seeing each other for the first time since the arrival of Joe Biden at the White House almost two years ago. And the two presidents both arrive strengthened in their functions: Joe Biden after the good resistance from the democrats in the midterm elections in the United States and Xi Jinping by obtaining his reappointment as party leader and state at the 20th CPC Congress. Already in bad shape under the Trump presidency, relations between the two countries have only deteriorated since. And this first meeting will be an opportunity to settle the disputes.
Before arriving in Bali, Joe Biden said he wanted to establish red lines with China, reports our special correspondent in Bali, Mounia Daoudi. We are of course thinking of Taiwan. The US President will reiterate the importance of peace and free movement in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. For Beijing, the Chine unique means eventually the reunification of the island with mainland China and American officials are not allowed to meet with the leaders of Taipei, reports our correspondent in Beijing, Stephane Lagarde. For Washington, the recent activities of the People’s Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait constitute an attack on the the state in which and a threat to peace and stability. We must also remember, our correspondent in the United States points out, Loubna Anakithat the visit to the island, a few months ago, of Nancy Pelosi had angered the Chinese.
Trade war and the North Korean dossier
On the geopolitical level, there is the North Korean file and the provocations of Pyongyang. If Beijing opposes a new Pyongyang nuclear test, Chinese diplomacy has refused to tighten sanctions against the North Korean regime following recent missile launches. Here too, Joe Biden will recall that if the regime persists in its belligerent attitude, the United States will have no choice but to strengthen its military presence in the region, which Beijing fiercely opposes. It goes without saying that the war in Ukraine and its consequences on the world economy will also be discussed.
Less publicized, but just as crucial, the trade war that the two rivals engage in cannot be avoided. Latest episode, Washington’s ban on the export of high-end chips and the technologies used to manufacture them. A decision with disastrous consequences for Chinese tech.
The question now is whether the two presidents will stick to their guns and stay locked in their strategic rivalry or make concessions a minima. This Monday, November 14, China said it hoped that the meeting scheduled for the day between President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Joe Biden would restore bilateral relations ” on the right track ».
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