The American president, Joe Bidenand the president of China, Xi JinpingThey last met in Lime, showing harmony and some advances in which both recognized as “the most important bilateral relationship in the world”while They sent veiled messages to Donald Trump.
At the start of the Lima meeting, at the conclusion of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting, which both leaders attended, Xi assured he was ready to work with the new Trump administrationwho will take power on January 20, and will work to “maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differencesas we strive to ensure a stable transition. »
Xi also issued a message of caution that seemed directed more toward Trump than the incumbent Biden: “The two countries should keep in mind the well-being of their two peoples and the common interest of the international community, make wise decisions, continue to explore the best way for the two great nations to get along and achieve a long peaceful coexistence.
“The United States recently concluded its elections. China’s goal of a stable, healthy and lasting Sino-US relationship has not changed“, he added.
For his part, Biden spoke of the “many hours” he spent during his four years in office and three bilateral meetings speaking with Xi and the progress that has been made since the last meeting in Woodside, California ) last year on the subject. control of narcotics like fentanyl or military communication.
As advice – for some a veiled message to Trump on how to resume relations with Beijing– he reflected: “We didn’t always agree, but our conversations were always sincere and frank. We never made fun of each other. We were on the same level and I think that’s vital.”
Xi said China “is willing to work with the new U.S. administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage disputes, but also warned that “the attempt to stop China will not succeed.”
A historic agreement in Lima
According to the White House, Biden and Xi agreed this Saturday on “the need to maintain human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons” and prevent the artificial intelligence (AI) system from participating in these decisions.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a press briefing that this was the first time this precept of nuclear doctrine had been reaffirmed between the two great rival powers, which he called it very “meaningful” after the one hour and 40 minute meeting
“We have to start somewhere, with basic principles, and from there develop a common basis for reducing nuclear risk. A good starting point is the straightforward proposition that there must be human control in decisions regarding the use of nuclear weapons,” he said.
Passing the baton to Trump
During this trip to Peru, which will continue on Sunday with a trip to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) to participate in the G20 summit, the White House tried to show an image of normality, ensuring that Trump’s arrival was not the protagonist of conversations with partners like Japan or South Korea.
Sullivan reiterated that he was not commenting on possible policies Trump would adopt on international trade or foreign relations, but that “it is an obvious fact that on January 20 there will be a new administration and he (Biden) has reinforced the point that these next two months are a period of transition in the United States and a period in which the stability of relations between the United States and China is essential”.
This meeting had a distinct taste of cycle change and farewell and Sullivan, a key player in the complex relations with Beijing, who wove the threads of this meeting during a visit to China in August, demonstrated ‘an unusual frankness about how the connection is maintained. Washington-Beijing, tense on issues such as the presence of North Korea in Russia, support for the Kremlin’s military industry or territorial pressures in the South China Sea or against Taiwan.
“Executive-level relationships are critical to responsible management of U.S.-China competition. The tone is set at the top. Teams receive direction from the top and day-to-day relationships stems from an agreement reached between Presidents Biden and Xi (…) it was crucial (…) I think the personal dynamic helped us manage the relationship,” summarized Sullivan.
