In a context of uncertainties linked to the re-election of Donald Trump, China “we will strive to ensure a smooth transition” in its relations with the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on Saturday, November 16, to his American counterpart, Joe Biden, during a final face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, in Lima.
Both countries should “Continue exploring the right path” get along and “achieve long-term peaceful coexistence”“added Xi during the meeting, quoted by the state agency Xinhua, while the two leaders have been in the Peruvian capital since Thursday to participate in the 31stmy edition of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which brings together twenty-one economies that represent 60% of world GDP.
During this interview conducted on the sidelines of the event, Joe Biden also advocated calming relations between the two superpowers. “Our two countries cannot allow this competition to turn into a conflict. “It is our responsibility and, over the last four years, I think we have shown that it is possible to maintain this relationship.”he declared, without mentioning Donald Trump, to whom he will give up his place in the White House, in January 2025.
Relationships that have deteriorated
Without referring to the president-elect either, Xi Jinping declared that “Porcelain [était] “We stand ready to work with a new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences to strive for a smooth transition of China-US relations for the benefit of both people.” He warned that a stable relationship between China and the United States was essential not only for the two nations, but also for “the future and destiny of humanity.”
Ties between the two countries have deteriorated in recent years due to disagreements over trade, the status of Taiwan, human rights and technological competition. However, bilateral dialogue continued as best it could. According to US officials, this third and final face-to-face between Biden and Xi was intended to build on the historic meeting that helped ease tensions a year ago, at the same annual APEC summit in San Francisco.
In Lima, Joe Biden said “proud of the progress made” to stabilize this relationship between Washington and Beijing. A little nostalgic, he remembered how he had fun “Counting the hours we spent alone, you and me.”. “I remember being on the Tibetan plateau with you and I remember being in Beijing and around the world, first as vice president and then as president.”said.
“We have not always agreed, but our conversations have always been frank”added the outgoing president, emphasizing that they had been “honest with each other”. “And I think that’s essential. “These talks help avoid miscalculations and ensure that competition between our two countries does not escalate into conflict.”added Joe Biden in one of his last big international outings.
“A moment of important political change”
The shadow of Donald Trump, who has already included anti-Beijing hardliners on his team, loomed over the discussions. During his campaign, the billionaire promised to protect American industry, threatening to impose tariffs of 10 to 20% on imported products and up to 60% on those from China. During his first term (2017-2021), he had already deeply disrupted bilateral economic relations, triggering a trade war to force Beijing to buy American products and rebalance the trade balance.
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Already on Friday, Xi Jinping had warned “against the rise of unilateralism and protectionism” and judged that the world was “Entered a new period of turbulence and transformation”. Concern conveyed by Joe Biden, who estimated, on the sidelines of a meeting with his allies in the Pacific region – Japan and South Korea – that “We have reached a moment of significant political change”.
