US President Joe Biden is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Lima, Peru, on Saturday, marking the last of their in-person meetings during Biden’s presidency. The two leaders will gather on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, five days after their last face-to-face encounter at the same summit in 2023.
Diminishing Power as Biden Prepares to Depart Office
With Biden’s second term nearing its end, his political influence has waned, while Xi is already looking ahead to challenges with incoming US President Donald Trump. Trump, who has promised to intensify his trade war with China, aims to impose heavy tariffs on Chinese imports. Biden’s team has declined to comment on whether the president will address Trump’s policies during his meeting with Xi, or discuss the transition plans.
Stability and Predictability Key Themes for Biden
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the main focus of the meeting will be on maintaining “stability, clarity, and predictability” in the US-China relationship during the transition period. Biden is expected to underscore the importance of sustaining open communication channels and addressing critical issues like China’s support for Russia and ongoing cybersecurity concerns.
Military, Counter-Narcotics, and AI: Areas of Diplomacy Progress
Biden will highlight the progress made in military-to-military communications, counter-narcotics efforts, and artificial intelligence (AI) during their previous meetings, especially those that have reduced tensions between the two countries. Despite the challenging landscape, Biden is expected to showcase his administration’s strategy of “intense diplomacy” in its dealings with China.
Cybersecurity Concerns and Chinese Hacking Allegations
The meeting comes on the heels of an alleged Chinese hack of US telecommunications networks, which the intelligence community is investigating. The cyber attack, attributed to a Chinese hacking group known as Salt Typhoon, infiltrated American telecom systems and targeted both the Trump campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Biden is likely to raise the issue of cyber-enabled espionage in his talks with Xi, warning that such attacks will lead to further decoupling of US and Chinese technology.
Future US-China Relations Under Trump
Looking ahead, US-China relations could face new turbulence. President-elect Trump has appointed several hardline officials, including Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor, both known for their tough stance on China. These appointments signal potential shifts in policy that could complicate the diplomatic ties that Biden’s administration has worked to stabilize.
Ongoing US-China Disputes
The Biden administration continues to challenge China on multiple fronts, including the South China Sea, Taiwan, and Ukraine. It has also imposed new technology restrictions, added tariffs, and placed a ban on Chinese electric vehicles. While Biden’s team emphasizes the importance of communication, they recognize that managing the US-China relationship will remain a key task for the next administration.
As Biden’s term comes to a close, both leaders are preparing for a delicate meeting that could set the tone for future relations between the two superpowers.
