U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s leader Xi Jinping addressed their nations’ intensifying rivalry, striving to avert open conflict amid mounting global tensions. The dialogue, held at a Lima hotel during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, was likely one of their final direct exchanges before a seismic shift in American leadership, with Donald J. Trump poised to return to the presidency in January.
While the two leaders spoke diplomatically, their words carried veiled messages for Trump, who has pledged a hardline approach to Beijing upon his return to power.
President Biden, emphasizing the importance of sustained communication between the two superpowers, sought to underline the value of avoiding conflict through strategic engagement.
“These conversations prevent miscalculations, and they ensure the competition between our two countries will not veer into conflict — be competition, not conflict,” Biden stated, reflecting his administration’s measured approach to managing U.S.-China relations over the past four years.
For Xi, the meeting offered an opportunity to reaffirm China’s priorities while issuing pointed warnings about the challenges posed by an increasingly hostile U.S. administration.
“Make the wise choice,” Xi said in his opening remarks, underscoring the need for the two nations to chart a constructive path forward. His tone, however, hinted at the uncertainties looming in U.S.-China relations, particularly given Trump’s pledged tariffs and hawkish foreign policy.
The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, delved into contentious issues that have deepened divisions between the U.S. and China. Biden pressed Xi on maintaining peace in Taiwan, stressing the importance of stability in the Taiwan Strait. U.S. officials have expressed mounting concern over Beijing’s military posturing around Taiwan, an issue that has become a flashpoint in bilateral relations.
Xi, in turn, warned the U.S. against supporting Taiwan’s independence, delivering a firm reminder of China’s territorial claims. In an unusually direct statement, he referenced Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, as a potential flashpoint for future tensions, particularly under Trump’s leadership.
Discussions also touched on the Ukraine war and North Korea. Biden urged Xi to discourage North Korea from aligning with Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, a request reflecting growing unease over Beijing’s tacit support for Moscow. However, Xi defended China’s neutrality in the Ukraine war and criticized the U.S. for “smearing” China on global security issues.
The meeting highlighted the broader strategic competition between the two superpowers. Biden challenged China on accusations of hacking U.S. telecommunications systems and Beijing’s aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea. Xi, however, dismissed these allegations and reiterated his opposition to U.S. intervention in the contested waters, emphasizing that China would not tolerate interference in its core interests.
Still, both leaders sought common ground on critical issues. One notable agreement reached during the meeting was a commitment to ensure human oversight of nuclear weapons, avoiding the delegation of such control to artificial intelligence systems. Yet, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, acknowledged the challenge of ensuring continuity in U.S. policy as the Trump administration prepares to take over.
“The incoming administration is not in the business of providing us assurances about anything,” Sullivan remarked.
Trump’s looming presidency weighed heavily over the discussions. His campaign rhetoric and policy proposals — including the imposition of steep tariffs on Chinese goods and the nomination of hardliner Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state — signal a sharp departure from Biden’s approach.
In his remarks, Xi appeared to extend an olive branch to the incoming Trump administration, expressing a willingness to cooperate. However, he maintained a firm stance on what he termed the “unwinnable” nature of a new Cold War, signaling China’s intent to push back against U.S. containment strategies.
As Biden’s presidency winds down, he faces the dual challenge of addressing immediate global concerns and safeguarding his policy legacy. Following the APEC summit, Biden will become the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Amazon rainforest.
On Sunday, he will travel to Manaus, Brazil, to meet local leaders and advocate for the preservation of the Amazon, a critical component of the global fight against climate change. His visit underscores his administration’s commitment to environmental issues, a stark contrast to Trump’s dismissive stance on climate change.
In Brazil, Biden will join President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in emphasizing the urgent need to halt deforestation. Lula has vowed to end deforestation in the Amazon by 2030, urging wealthier nations to support the cause financially. Scientists highlight the Amazon’s crucial role in mitigating climate change due to its ability to absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide.
From Manaus, Biden will head to Rio de Janeiro for a Group of 20 (G20) summit, where leaders will tackle pressing global issues such as poverty, governance, and environmental sustainability.
The Biden administration’s approach to China, characterized by strategic engagement paired with targeted countermeasures, has left a complex legacy. While Biden has built on Trump-era policies like tariffs and technology restrictions, he has sought to temper tensions with China, most recently through efforts to de-escalate disputes following incidents like the Chinese spy balloon saga and his controversial remarks about Xi’s leadership.
As Trump prepares to take the helm once more, the trajectory of U.S.-China relations remains uncertain. The outcomes of Saturday’s meeting offer a glimpse into the challenges ahead — a superpower rivalry that will continue to shape global politics, defined by strategic competition, moments of cooperation, and deep-seated mistrust.
