LIMA, Peru — President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for nearly two hours at the APEC summit Saturday, marking the end of a 15-year diplomatic relationship as Donald Trump prepares to return to office.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
The discussions resulted in significant agreements and efforts to stabilize U.S.-China relations before the Trump administration takes over:
- AI and Nuclear Weapons: The leaders agreed to ensure human control over nuclear weapons systems, a breakthrough in nuclear safety negotiations.
- Wrongfully Detained Americans: Progress was made on the potential release of two U.S. citizens detained in China.
- North Korea and Russia: Biden pressed Xi to curb North Korea’s support for Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan hailed the AI agreement as a landmark step toward reducing nuclear risks.
A Contrast in Diplomatic Tone
This meeting marked a departure from the strained interactions of the past, including Biden’s sharp criticism of Xi during the 2023 APEC summit. Xi and Biden emphasized the importance of stability:
- Xi’s Statement: He called for injecting “more certainty and positive energy into the turbulent world.”
- Biden’s Remarks: He noted the value of in-person talks to prevent miscalculations and maintain competition without conflict.
Despite these conciliatory tones, Xi warned of potential tensions under Trump, criticizing “vicious competition” and “unilateralism.”
A New Era Looms with Trump’s Return
Trump’s impending presidency introduces uncertainty into U.S.-China relations:
- Hawkish Cabinet Picks: Trump’s appointments of vocal China critics, including Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA, signal a tough stance on Beijing.
- Trade Policy: Trump has pledged to impose new tariffs on China, deviating from Biden’s strategy of managed competition.
Xi offered cautious optimism, expressing China’s readiness to work with the incoming administration while warning against protectionist policies.
Biden’s Legacy in U.S.-China Relations
As Biden’s presidency winds down, his administration seeks to emergency-proof bilateral ties. Sullivan noted that Biden aimed to ensure a smooth transition and hand over stable relations to Trump’s team.
With diplomatic breakthroughs on AI and detained Americans, Biden’s final meeting with Xi underscores his efforts to mitigate geopolitical risks, even as a more confrontational era looms under Trump.
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