Biden and Xi Jinping’s High-Stakes Meeting to Stabilize Turbulent US-China Relations
Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are set to meet on Wednesday to address the turbulent relationship between the United States and China. The meeting, taking place at a country estate in California, comes with hopes of stabilizing the strained ties between the two economic superpowers.
The last time Biden and Xi spoke was a year ago, and since then, the relationship has faced further challenges. These include the downing of a Chinese spy balloon over the continental U.S., differences over Taiwan, China’s hacking of a Biden official’s emails, and other incidents. Against this backdrop, both leaders are keen to demonstrate that the U.S. and China are not engaged in a winner-take-all faceoff, but rather seeking areas of cooperation amidst their economic competition.
Biden is prepared to address difficult issues such as trade, Beijing’s relationship with Iran, and human rights concerns. One of the topics on Biden’s agenda is to urge China to use its influence over Iran to prevent actions that could escalate the Israel-Hamas war. With China being a significant importer of Iranian oil and Iran being a major backer of Hamas, the Biden administration sees an opportunity for China to play a constructive role.
While the leaders hope to find common ground, Biden is not hesitant to confront areas of disagreement. His administration seeks to strike a balance between confronting China on issues where there are divergences while exploring areas of cooperation, such as climate change and clean energy technology.
The economic competition between the U.S. and China will be a key focus for Biden during the meeting. He aims to manage this competition effectively and maintain open lines of communication to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to conflict. Biden will also assure Xi that the U.S. is not waging an economic war.
On the other hand, Xi is looking for reassurances from Biden. He wants to ensure that the U.S. will not support Taiwan independence, initiate a new Cold War, or suppress China’s economic growth. Additionally, Xi hopes to emphasize China as an attractive investment destination for American businesses amidst tensions over technology, trade, and uncertain policies.
The meeting holds significance, even before its commencement, as the U.S. and China recently agreed to pursue efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Furthermore, concrete agreements are anticipated, including reestablishing military communications that have been limited since August 2022 and collaborating to tackle the issue of illicit fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for numerous drug overdoses in the U.S.
While the meeting offers an opportunity for both leaders to address their concerns, it has also attracted demonstrations and protests. Protesters have voiced their concerns about Xi’s policies and the impacts of multinational corporations prioritizing profits.
As Biden heads into the meeting, he is bolstered by the strengthening U.S. economy and the formation of alliances in the Pacific. The International Monetary Fund has cut China’s growth forecasts, while Biden has been successful in keeping inflation in check and maintaining a low unemployment rate.
Following the meeting, Xi will address American business executives to clarify Beijing’s expanding security rules and alleviate uncertainty surrounding foreign investment. The visit aims to convey China’s appeal as a favorable place to invest, as emphasized by Xi during his meeting with American CEOs.
In summary, the Biden-Xi meeting carries high stakes as the leaders strive to stabilize US-China relations. While challenging issues like trade, Iran, and human rights are on the table, both leaders seek to demonstrate that economic competition should not overshadow areas of cooperation. The outcome of the meeting will determine the course of the relationship between the two superpowers and influence their roles on the world stage.
