United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Lima, Peru, during the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which commenced on Friday. This meeting is anticipated to be Biden’s last in-person engagement with Xi during his current term, as the global landscape shifts with the impending return of former President Donald Trump.
Relations between the United States and China—two of the world’s most significant superpowers—have faced substantial challenges in recent years. Under Trump’s first term, a heady trade war was initiated, characterized by substantial tariffs and accusations of unfair trade practices directed at Beijing. However, tensions have continued under Biden’s administration, with various focal points such as trade, technology, and digital platforms dominating the discourse. Notably, as of 2023, Mexico has taken the lead as the U.S.’s top trading partner, a first in two decades, reflecting the shifting dynamics in economic relations.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has aimed to stabilize relations with China in light of these challenges. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan indicated that discussions during the Lima meeting will revolve around maintaining a level-headed approach amidst an evolving political climate, particularly in anticipation of Trump’s possible return to leadership.
The previous administration’s trade policies marked a milestone in U.S.-China relations. Beginning in January 2018, the Trump administration imposed tariffs of varying degrees, citing concerns over issues like forced labor and intellectual property theft, which Beijing has consistently denied. Despite a partial agreement at the end of Trump’s presidency—where China pledged to increase its purchases of U.S. goods—actual compliance has remained a point of contention, revealing the complexities of trade relations between the two nations.
Under Biden, previous tariffs largely remain intact, and the administration has extended sanctions against Chinese firms engaged with Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Recent reviews of trade policies have resulted in heightened tariffs on specific imports, indicating a continuation of a cautious approach toward Beijing amidst ongoing concerns over national security.
The potential impact of the U.S.-China relationship extends beyond trade, particularly regarding Taiwan and technologies like TikTok. As tensions have escalated around Taiwan, the U.S. has reaffirmed its commitment to its ally, leading to military drills and arms sales that have elicited strong reactions from Beijing.
In the realm of social media, Biden’s administration has mandated that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, divest its stake due to national security concerns. This has been a topic of ongoing scrutiny, with TikTok denying allegations of espionage, highlighting the intersection of technology and international relations in the 21st century.
As Biden and Xi convene in Peru, the global community remains watchful of how these discussions may influence not only U.S.-China relations but also the broader geopolitical landscape, especially with the possibility of a Trump presidency shaping future interactions. The outcomes of this meeting could redefine strategies and partnerships, making it a pivotal moment in international relations.
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