Biden Xi meeting/ North Korea Russia support/ U.S.-China relations/ Taiwan tensions/ APEC summit 2024/ Newslooks/ LIMA/ Peru/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Peru, focusing on North Korea’s military aid to Russia. This marks Biden’s last opportunity to engage with Xi before leaving office, emphasizing the urgency of mitigating escalating regional tensions. The discussion will also address U.S.-China relations, Taiwan, and human rights issues, as both sides brace for policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump.
Biden’s Final Meeting with Xi Jinping: Quick Looks
- North Korea’s Role: Biden will push Xi to discourage North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Regional Stability: Talks will address North Korea’s missile tests and growing tensions around Taiwan.
- U.S.-China Dynamics: Biden aims to reinforce competition management as the Trump administration prepares to take office.
- Economic Concerns: American companies continue diversifying away from China amid uncertainty about future tariffs.
- Key Allies Involved: Biden, Japan’s Ishiba, and South Korea’s Yoon align on countering regional destabilization.
Biden’s Final Talks with Xi to Address North Korea’s Russia Support
Deep Look
As President Joe Biden approaches the end of his term, his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, holds critical significance. The discussions represent Biden’s last opportunity to influence U.S.-China relations and regional stability before Republican President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.
Focus on North Korea’s Support for Russia
A primary objective for Biden is to address North Korea’s deepening military cooperation with Russia. This includes Pyongyang sending thousands of troops to aid Moscow in Ukraine and supplying artillery and munitions.
Biden, alongside South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, condemned North Korea’s actions during a trilateral meeting on Friday.
“This is dangerous and destabilizing cooperation,” Biden said.
U.S. officials are frustrated with Beijing’s limited response to North Korea, as China dominates trade with the isolated nation. The administration views China as pivotal in curbing North Korea’s missile tests and military provocations, which have alarmed the U.S. and its allies.
A Broader Agenda: Taiwan, Trade, and Technology
Beyond North Korea, Biden and Xi are set to discuss Taiwan, a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. Biden has warned of catastrophic global consequences should miscalculations lead to an all-out war.
China’s military harassment of its regional neighbors, including skirmishes in the South China Sea and near Japan’s East China Sea islands, will also feature in the discussions. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba expressed concerns about increased Chinese military activity during his meeting with Xi.
On trade, American companies are diversifying supply chains away from China amid economic uncertainty. Trump’s campaign promise of imposing 60% tariffs on Chinese imports has added urgency to this trend.
Victor Cha, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted the stakes:
“Xi’s audience includes not just the White House but also American CEOs. He must address perceptions of a hostile business environment in China.”
U.S.-China Relations Under Trump
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that managing U.S.-China competition will remain a top foreign policy challenge for the Trump administration.
Tensions have been exacerbated by incidents such as:
- Chinese Cyberespionage: U.S. intelligence uncovered a “broad and significant” hacking campaign targeting American telecommunications networks.
- Military Aid to Russia: China has increased sales of technology used in Russian weaponry.
- Spy Balloon Incident: The U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon in 2023, further straining relations.
The Legacy of Biden-Xi Engagement
Biden has prioritized cultivating a relationship with Xi since their vice-presidential days, describing him as a consequential peer on the global stage. Despite this, the past four years have been marked by diplomatic setbacks, including disagreements over trade, human rights, and regional security.
The meeting in Peru, arranged after months of diplomatic effort, symbolizes Biden’s closing effort to stabilize U.S.-China relations while reinforcing key alliances in Asia.
