Biden and Xi's Meeting Signals End of an Era in U.S.-China Relations

In a pivotal meeting in Peru, President Biden and Xi Jinping discussed the strained dynamics between the U.S. and China, as Biden prepares to hand over the reins to Trump, who promises a more confrontational stance towards Beijing.

In a significant meeting held in Lima, Peru, President Joe Biden engaged with Chinese President Xi Jinping against the backdrop of shifting U.S.-China relations. This encounter occurred during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and marks what could likely be Biden's final direct dialogue with Xi before Donald Trump resumes the presidency in January with a commitment to a more confrontational approach towards China.

At the outset of their meeting, Xi acknowledged the recent U.S. elections, reinforcing China's desire for a "stable, healthy, and sustainable" relationship with the United States. Throughout his presidency, Biden has focused on managing relations with China through diplomatic engagement and open lines of communication as a means to mitigate further tensions. However, despite these efforts, recent developments indicate a lack of interest from China in easing potential conflicts.

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have raised concerns regarding China's burgeoning relationship with Russia, particularly in light of President Vladimir Putin's actions. Additionally, concerns have been amplified by allegations that Chinese cyber operatives breached American telecommunications networks and accessed sensitive information. The increasingly aggressive posture of China in the Asia-Pacific region, including military drills around Taiwan and heightened activity in the South China Sea, has further elicited alarm among American officials.

As Biden prepares to step down, the implications of the meeting with Xi are far-reaching, setting the stage for a possible hardening of U.S. policy towards China when Trump takes office. Under Trump's anticipated administration, the focus will likely shift towards a more robust and potentially adversarial approach, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future trajectories of these two global powerhouses.