Biden, Xi set to discuss key issues in upcoming meeting

In a confirmed announcement from the White House, US President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California on Wednesday. The meeting, the first between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies in a year, will address crucial topics such as trade, Taiwan, and the overall management of their strained relations.

Xi’s visit to the US, planned from Tuesday through November 17, includes participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, where the meeting with Biden is set to take place on the sidelines. Notably, the leaders have not convened since the G20 summit in Bali last year.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication. The leaders are expected to discuss responsible competition management and collaboration on transnational challenges affecting the international community. While major announcements are not anticipated, US officials assert that no topics will be off the table during the discussions.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met in San Francisco on Thursday, continuing a series of senior-level engagements aimed at easing tensions. Talks are scheduled to continue on Friday.

Despite efforts to enhance communication through economic and financial working groups, tensions between the US and China have heightened over the past year. Controversies, such as the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon and disputes over Taiwan, have contributed to the strained relationship.

The upcoming meeting between Biden and Xi is also expected to cover global issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election. The situation in Ukraine has led to accusations against China of supporting Russia’s economy, while trade and technology disputes persist between China and the US.

Biden is likely to address China’s influence on North Korea amid concerns over increased ballistic missile tests and Pyongyang’s support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict. The meeting will serve as a critical opportunity for the leaders to navigate complex geopolitical challenges and find common ground.