In brief
In a potential farewell meeting, President Biden addressed the challenges facing U.S.-China relations with Xi Jinping during the APEC forum in Peru, as Trump's administration promises a shift towards more aggressive tactics.
President Biden met with China's President Xi Jinping in Lima, Peru, marking what could be one of the last significant discussions between the two leaders before Donald Trump resumes presidency in January. This meeting comes at a time of heightened tension between the United States and China, following a U.S. election that could dramatically alter foreign relations.Mr. Biden initiated the conversation by expressing the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts, while Mr. Xi reinforced China's commitment to a stable China-U.S. relationship. However, the past four years have seen a strategic shift, with the Biden administration attempting to manage competition while minimizing the risk of open conflict. Recent actions from Beijing, including an increasingly close alliance with Russia and aggressive military maneuvers around Taiwan, have raised alarms among U.S. officials. China's hacking allegations and assertiveness in the South China Sea contrast sharply with Biden's diplomatic outreach and focus on open communication.As Biden prepares to step aside and Trump vows a more confrontational approach, the two powers seem poised on a precarious edge—one that could reshape global politics in the coming years.
