The world watched with bated breath as US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held what is likely to be their final meeting before Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. The high-stakes encounter took place on Saturday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, against a backdrop of rising tensions and global uncertainty.
As the two leaders shook hands and exchanged opening remarks, the weight of the moment was palpable. Xi acknowledged the “ups and downs” in the US-China relationship, while emphasizing China’s desire for stability and cooperation. “China is ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences,” he declared, according to sources close to the talks.
A Consequential Transition
The Biden-Xi meeting comes at a critical juncture, as the world braces for a transfer of power in Washington that could have far-reaching consequences. As National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted earlier in the week, “Transitions are uniquely consequential moments in geopolitics. They’re a time when competitors and adversaries can see possible opportunity.”
The specter of Trump’s imminent return looms large over the discussions. On the campaign trail, the former president promised a hawkish approach to China, vowing to hike tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 60%. He also pledged to end Russia’s war in Ukraine “in 24 hours” – a move that some fear could mean decreased military aid to Kyiv or pressure to cede territory to Moscow.
The North Korea Factor
A key issue on the agenda was China’s role in curbing North Korea’s growing involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recent reports from the Pentagon and NATO confirm that around 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to bolster Russia’s offensive. In response, Biden huddled with the leaders of South Korea and Japan on Friday, affirming their trilateral alliance and agreeing that Beijing should not encourage this “destabilizing cooperation.”
“It should not be in Beijing’s interest to have this kind of destabilizing cooperation take place in the region.”
– Senior administration official
Hawkish Appointments
Trump’s cabinet picks have only heightened concerns about the future trajectory of US-China relations. The appointment of China hawks like Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor signals a tough stance from the incoming administration.
- Marco Rubio, nominated for Secretary of State, is known for his hardline views on China
- Mike Waltz, tapped for National Security Advisor, has also expressed hawkish positions
Cyber Tensions
Adding to the strained atmosphere are fresh allegations of Chinese hacking attempts targeting US telecommunications networks and government officials. The FBI is investigating reports that operations linked to China sought to steal data from the phones of Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and staff members of Vice President Kamala Harris. These revelations have put US officials further on edge.
An Uncertain Road Ahead
As Biden and Xi conclude their discussions in Peru, the path forward for US-China relations remains shrouded in uncertainty. While Xi has extended congratulations to Trump and expressed hope for a “stable, healthy and sustainable” relationship, his remarks at APEC struck a more ominous tone.
“The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation.”
– Xi Jinping
With Trump poised to inherit a geopolitical landscape fraught with tensions and challenges, the question on everyone’s mind is: What will the future hold for US-China relations, and for global stability as a whole? As the world holds its breath, only time will tell what the Biden-Xi meeting in Peru will mean for the critical months and years ahead.
