Recently, Joe Biden had an encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the rim of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum held in Lima, Peru. This marked the first communication between the two leaders in seven months. One can’t help but wonder the real value of such discussions, given that Xi has committed to working with the forthcoming Trump administration as soon as Biden exits from the Oval Office later in 2025.
In perhaps a desperate attempt to appear impactful in his last few days in office, Biden discussed a variety of conflicts ranging from cybercrime to issues on trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Russia with China’s Xi. However, with Trump’s return to the White House on the horizon, the pertinence of this conversation is of dubious value.
President Xi assured Biden that there is an unchanged commitment from China towards a stable, healthy and sustainable Sino-US relationship. Interestingly though, even Xi alludes to the ‘ups and downs’ of their coexistence. Consequently, talks about working with the new administration and managing differences seem more like politically correct jargon, considering the incoming Trump administration’s known firm stance against China.
In his attempt to accentuate the importance of his role, Biden stated how crucial it would be to maintain these leader-to-leader discussions after his exit. To some, this may come across as a slightly desperate grasp at relevance. How impactful can these dialogues truly be when Biden himself admits to a lack of consensus in their many discussions?
As soon as Trump takes over, the G-20 nations including China will undoubtedly brace themselves for the reimplementation of Trump’s ‘America First’ policy. Quite unlike Biden’s softer approach, this policy prioritizes American interests with greater emphasis on increased tariffs. In other words, one might expect a reality check after an era of lackluster leadership.
Trump, in his inaugural term, had ignited the flame of a trade war with China in 2018. He introduced a significant tariff increase of up to 25% on steel, aluminum, and some other products manufactured in China. This was a bold move relative to Biden’s seemingly weak stance, leaving the nation feeling more protected and represented in international trade.
Reiterating his assertive stance, Trump threatened to bolster tariffs up to 60% on Chinese goods during his presidential campaign. Some question the credibility of this mirrored ‘promise’. Yet, even a mere threat far outshines Biden’s underwhelming efforts to pacify relations with a clear rival nation.
Biden had a futile attempt to ease tensions with China during his interaction with Xi over the weekend. It was transparent to all that there were hardly any major breakthroughs. Thus, one can question the capacity of Biden and his administration to handle sensitive international relations diplomely.
On a more surprising note, both Biden and Xi agreed to prioritize human decision-making when it comes to the utilization of nuclear weapons. This appears to be a greatly unusual topic given the myriad of more pressing issues. It’s perplexing to see decision-makers diverting focus towards unconventional issues when the nation is grappling with more tangible problems.
The conversation also navigated towards China’s ally, North Korea, translating into another sphere of concern originating from the Biden administration. Tensions were additionally escalated by North Korea deploying troops in Moscow’s clash with Ukraine. This defiant move raised eyebrows not just in the U.S., but in Europe and Beijing as well.
During their conversation, Biden argued that China’s publicly stated position concerning the war in Ukraine signifies opposition towards any escalation or expansion of the conflict. Yet, the tangible deployment of North Korean soldiers completely contravenes this stated position. This is indeed another eloquent testament to the ineptitude of the Biden administration in maintaining control and exerting diplomatic influence.
Biden contended that the People’s Republic of China, having the influence and capacity, should prevent further escalation of the conflict by avoiding introducing more North Korean forces. Yet, it seems unlikely that his words hold significant weight given the track record of his administration’s debatable effectiveness.
The barely concealed mockery towards Biden is perhaps indicative of the current world leaders’ perception of his aptitude as a politician. These interactions cement his overwhelmingly vacillating reputation, showcasing his incapacity to handle critical international situations and portray American interests securely.
As Trump’s administration is set to take over, these discussions only paint a picture of anticipation and unease. The global powers are already gearing up for the return of ‘America First,’ which will rightfully place the nation’s interests back at the center.
In conclusion, it’s undeniable that Biden’s reign has been mired in credibility issues and ineffectual leadership. The impending Trump administration is a breath of fresh air, promising to correct the misdirections and bring back a robust American presence on the world stage.
Despite Biden’s endless rhetoric about diplomatic dialogue and coexistence, it appears these are merely spoken words when faced with real-world premises. What remains to be seen is how swiftly the subsequent administration will have to act to undo the damage done during the Biden tenure, reinforcing the trust and standing of America worldwide.