Outgoing President Joe Biden is preparing for what is anticipated to be his final in-person meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Peru during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Both leaders are expected to discuss the management of U.S.-China relations over the past four years. Xi has already traveled from Beijing to Lima, accompanied by top diplomats and officials, while Biden’s journey begins on Thursday. After the summit in Peru, Biden is scheduled to travel to Brazil for the G20 summit, with an additional stop planned in Manaus to engage with local leaders focused on environmental protection.
The upcoming meeting will take place against a backdrop of significant geopolitical tension and competition between the U.S. and China. A senior Biden administration official noted that the two leaders would reflect on their relationship and the efforts made to manage competition, despite recognizing deep differences. As Biden’s administration winds down and the Trump administration prepares to take office, the shift in American foreign policy towards China is anticipated to take a more confrontational tone, contrasting with Biden’s approach which has focused on cooperation in areas such as climate change. Trump has signaled intentions to renew a robust stance against Chinese aggression, especially regarding human rights and global influence.
In the Biden administration’s view, there have been some notable achievements during his presidency, such as improved communication between the U.S. and Chinese militaries and productive discussions on climate initiatives. However, there are few tangible outcomes expected from the Peru meeting, as indicated by the senior official who described the gathering as more of a reflective evaluation than a platform for new agreements. Despite previous engagements, there are concerns that the Biden administration has not effectively countered China’s provocative behavior, which many believe has weakened America’s standing on the global stage.
The past interactions between Biden and Xi have also included significant moments, such as their meeting last year in San Francisco during the previous APEC summit. There, Biden successfully negotiated the return of pandas to the San Diego Zoo and restored military communications severed by China after Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Xi’s public remarks during their previous encounters stress the importance of avoiding confrontation, advocating for mutual understanding rather than attempts to force ideological alignment between the two nations.
As Trump prepares to return to office following his election victory, he is expected to shift the U.S. foreign policy toward a more aggressive stance against China, based on his previous administration’s approach, which emphasized countering Chinese influence worldwide. Trump’s forthcoming foreign policies may include confronting China’s actions in Africa, its support for oppressive regimes, and its espionage activities. Meanwhile, Xi has signaled his understanding that cooperation between China and the U.S. is mutually beneficial, despite expressing concerns about the potential for renewed tensions under Trump’s leadership.
Biden has also assured Trump that he will facilitate a smooth transition as he prepares to vacate the Oval Office. This cooperation aims to honor the democratic process and ensure that the incoming administration is accommodated in its critical first days. Trump’s election underscores a pivotal shift in U.S.-China relations and suggests that the new approach may lead to even more significant challenges and confrontations moving forward. As the two leaders meet, the future trajectory of bilateral relations continues to hang in the balance, contingent upon the outcomes of their discussions and the broader implications of shifting U.S. policies under a newly elected president.
