Biden and Xi set to meet amid global tensions as Trump returns to power

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, as world leaders grapple with the looming geopolitical shifts sparked by Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

The anticipated meeting, scheduled for the second and final day of the summit, comes as Trump’s recent election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris has cast a shadow over international diplomacy. The session is expected to focus on navigating what the White House described as a “delicate period of transition” and ensuring that U.S.-China competition does not escalate into conflict.

The APEC summit, attended by leaders from 21 member states, has been dominated by concerns over trade wars and diplomatic upheavals tied to Trump’s impending presidency. Biden and Xi’s meeting follows a year of tentative progress in U.S.-China relations, marked by a historic summit in California.

On Friday, both leaders separately warned of turbulent times ahead. Xi raised concerns about “spreading unilateralism and protectionism” in a written statement, according to China’s state news agency, Xinhua. Biden, meanwhile, characterized the moment as one of “significant political change.”

Before their bilateral talks, Biden and Xi joined other leaders, including those from Canada, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia, for a closed-door retreat.

Trump’s return has upended Biden’s efforts to rebuild alliances and stabilize U.S. foreign policy. Trump has signaled a confrontational approach to China, including proposed tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese imports and the appointment of prominent China hawks, such as Senator Marco Rubio, to key roles.

Economists warn that such measures could destabilize not only the Chinese and U.S. economies but also global markets. Additionally, concerns over China’s military buildup and its claims in the South China Sea are expected to feature prominently in Biden and Xi’s discussion.

The leaders are also expected to address the restoration of military communication channels and tensions over Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory.