Lima: On Saturday, Joe Biden will hold what is expected to be his final meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as U.S. president, with the aim of easing tensions ahead of Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration. However, the dialogue is clouded by new disputes over cybercrime, trade policies, Taiwan, and China's ties with Russia.
The meeting, taking place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima, Peru, marks the first direct interaction between Biden and Xi in seven months. Leaders from the Pacific Rim are also gathering to assess the implications of Trump's return to the White House on January 20. The exact timing of the Biden-Xi meeting has not been disclosed.
U.S. frustrations are mounting following a China-linked cyberattack that targeted U.S. government officials and presidential campaign staff. Additionally, Washington is increasingly concerned about Beijing's pressure on Taiwan and its ongoing support for Russia.
In the weeks ahead, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is reportedly planning to stop in Hawaii and possibly Guam, a move certain to provoke Beijing, which views the self-governed island as part of its territory. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. remains Taiwan's key international backer and arms supplier.
Simultaneously, Biden's trade policies have impacted China's economy. Measures such as restricting U.S. investments in Chinese technologies like AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors, along with export controls on advanced chips, are expected to dominate discussions. While China denies U.S. hacking claims and considers Taiwan an internal issue, it has voiced opposition to U.S. stances on Sino-Russian trade. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy declined to comment.
Donald Trump, the incoming president, has pledged sweeping trade policies, including a 60% tariff on Chinese imports and the appointment of officials known for their hardline stances on China. Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, emphasized the importance of stability during the transition, while Chinese scholar Shen Dingli noted that Beijing seeks to avoid escalating tensions before Trump's inauguration.
The APEC summit highlights broader challenges to U.S. influence in Latin America, where Xi Jinping has embarked on a diplomatic tour. Xi’s schedule includes advancing trade agreements, inaugurating major infrastructure projects like Peru’s Chancay port, and visiting Brazil for a state event.
China’s increasing engagement in the region raises U.S. concerns about potential military and intelligence activities near American borders, though Chinese media dismisses such claims as baseless. Meanwhile, U.S. officials contend that Beijing’s overseas infrastructure investments have slowed due to domestic and project-related challenges.
Despite these dynamics, Xi's visit is expected to receive a warm reception in Latin America. Ryan Berg of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that Xi’s APEC activities could overshadow Biden’s presence, as the Chinese leader seeks to rebuild confidence among U.S. investors and improve perceptions of China’s business environment.