Final Biden-Xi Meeting at APEC Summit Highlights Uncertain Future for U.S.-China Relations

At a Glance:

• Final Biden-Xi Meeting: President Biden and China's Xi Jinping will hold their last meeting at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
• Key Discussion Points: They will address China's support for Russia in Ukraine, cybersecurity threats to U.S. infrastructure, trade disputes, and military activities near Taiwan and the South China Sea.
• Future Relations Uncertain: With the incoming Trump administration possibly adopting a more confrontational stance, the future of U.S.-China relations remains uncertain.

As President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare for their final meeting at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, the encounter underscores significant shifts in global dynamics and regional influence. With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January, this meeting marks a pivotal moment in the already complex relationship between the United States and China.

U.S. officials have indicated that no major deliverables are anticipated from this meeting. Instead, it will serve as an opportunity to review the bilateral relationship over the past four years. Biden is expected to address China's support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict, cyber intrusions on American networks, trade practices, and military activities around Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Cybersecurity concerns are high on the agenda. Biden will raise the issue of Chinese cyber-attack efforts on U.S. civilian critical infrastructure. The U.S. president is expected to warn that cyber pre-positioning on civilian infrastructure and engaging in reckless attacks against critical networks are "unacceptable."

National security issues will also be a focal point. Biden will express concerns about China's increased military activities around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. Additionally, he will convey "deep concern" over Beijing's support for Moscow's war against Ukraine and the deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia.

Meanwhile, Xi's presence in Peru will be marked by the inauguration of a massive deep-water port in the Peruvian coastal town of Chancay, developed by state-owned China Ocean Shipping Company Limited (COSCO). The $3.5 billion project is set to redefine trade between China and Latin America, offering material benefits for Peru and elevating it into a key hub for global supply chains.

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, uncertainties loom over the future of U.S.-China relations. The president-elect has appointed ardent China critics in key foreign policy positions, suggesting a potentially more confrontational U.S. posture toward Beijing. They include Republican Congressman Mike Waltz as Trump's pick for national security adviser and Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state.

"Whatever the next administration decides, they're going to need to find ways to manage the tough, complicated relationship between the U.S. and China," 

a senior administration official said in response to a question from the media.

Political advisers, Pacific leaders, and Asian nations are collectively pondering a key question to ease concerns heading into 2025: Can Presidents Biden and Xi depart amicably and provide a less contentious outlook, or is the world bracing for a more disruptive future with a new far-right U.S. government? As the global community watches closely, the outcomes of this final meeting may be too little, too late to offer long-term assurance. However, Biden's legacy in ensuring a peaceful transition is all that this administration can hope for, and it may set an optimistic tone for cross-Pacific international relations in a new and very complex environment in 2025.