First Meeting in Seven Months

During a critical moment at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima, Peru, Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged with U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday. This meeting marked their first direct conversation in nearly seven months and may be the final opportunity for substantive dialogue before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January 2025.

Commitment to Stable Relations

Xi articulated a clear vision for U.S.-China relations, insisting that the objective of a stable, healthy, and sustainable partnership remains firm. He acknowledged the “ups and downs” experienced in the bilateral relationship, stating, “China is ready to work with the new U.S. administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences.”

Strategic Importance of Continued Dialogue

Biden echoed Xi’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of ongoing leader-to-leader communications even after his administration concludes. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Biden described their previously candid discussions as critically important, suggesting a commitment to continuing such frank dialogues moving forward.

Trade Tensions and the “America First” Policy

With Trump expected to revive his “America First” approach, the international community anticipates a return to increased tariffs and trade tensions. Trump previously initiated a trade war with China in 2018, implementing tariffs as high as 25% on various Chinese imports, which prompted retaliatory measures from Beijing. Although Trump has suggested he could impose tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese goods, his actual policy direction remains uncertain as he prepares for his return to the White House.

Focus on Nuclear Policy and AI

A significant development from the talks was an agreement that human oversight, rather than artificial intelligence, should govern decisions regarding nuclear weapon use. This marks the first instance of the two nations addressing the nuclear decision-making process directly, reflecting a commitment to human agency in a realm fraught with potential global consequences.

Concerns Over North Korea and Ukraine

Biden and Xi also discussed the evolving relationship between China and North Korea, particularly North Korea’s alignment with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Biden underlined the contradiction between China’s stated position of seeking to prevent escalation in Ukraine and North Korea’s increased military involvement.

Sullivan emphasized Biden’s assertion that China holds significant influence over North Korea and should leverage it to prevent further escalation in the conflict, which has implications not only for Washington but also for European capitals as tensions continue to rise globally.