Biden Promotes US Commitment to Asia-Pacific Amidst Global Challenges
SAN FRANCISCO — President Joe Biden is set to showcase the United States’ commitment to the Asia-Pacific region at this week’s summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in San Francisco. Despite facing numerous foreign and domestic policy crises, Biden aims to demonstrate that the US remains focused on the region.
The highlight of Biden’s visit is his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. This meeting holds immense importance as the leaders of the world’s two largest economies strive to establish stability following a challenging year for US-China relations.
However, the White House also aims to prove to APEC’s (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) leaders that Biden can prioritize the Pacific region. This effort comes as the US grapples with the Israel-Hamas conflict and seeks continued financial support from Republican lawmakers for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that Biden’s engagements in Asia-Pacific go beyond his meeting with Xi. The President plans to present his economic vision for the region, highlighting the US as a key driver for sustainable economic growth and stressing the critical role of the Asia-Pacific region in US economic development.
Acknowledging fellow APEC nations’ desire for improved dialogue between the US and China to reduce the risk of regional conflict, the White House aims to introduce new initiatives to foster clean economy investments and promote anti-corruption and taxation policies through the Indo-Pacific Economic Forum. This forum, known as IPEF, was established last year to counter Beijing’s commercial influence in the region.
While some APEC members have tepid enthusiasm for IPEF, with major trade deals involving China, Japan, South Korea, and other regional economies already in place, they are keen to see Biden create more opportunities for accessing US markets.
During his presidency, Biden has chosen not to pursue new comprehensive free-trade agreements, arguing that such agreements are viewed suspiciously by Americans and some in Congress as contributing to the outsourcing of factory jobs.
To further solidify ties with the Asia-Pacific region, Biden welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo, a fellow APEC leader, to the White House for talks before both leaders traveled to San Francisco. Despite differing stances on the Israel-Hamas conflict, the two leaders aspire to enhance cooperation on climate change and other shared issues.
While progress on reaching consensus among APEC members for a joint declaration at the end of the summit may be affected by differing views on the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine conflicts, efforts continue to ensure a strong statement.
Key allies, including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., are expected to attend the summit. The recent thaw in South Korea-Japan relations due to shared concerns about China’s assertiveness in the Pacific and North Korea’s nuclear threats will likely be a topic of discussion.
Biden is also expected to address the US commitment to the Philippines, given China’s interference with Philippine vessels in the contested South China Sea. The Philippines and neighboring countries have been resisting Beijing’s extensive territorial claims in the region.
Amidst the summit, there is also the looming possibility of a government shutdown as the current stopgap spending measure is set to expire. The White House has emphasized the detrimental impact a shutdown would have on US standing worldwide and the need for bipartisan unity in sustaining government funding.
As President Biden seeks to promote the US commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, there is anticipation regarding the outcomes of his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the progress made at the APEC summit. The focus on economic growth, clean energy initiatives, and regional stability will shape the future trajectory of US engagement in the Asia-Pacific.
