Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to work with President-elect Donald Trump’s administration while holding final talks with outgoing President Joe Biden.
The two leaders met for two hours during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru, discussing issues like cybercrime, trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Russia.
“China’s goal of a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged,” Xi said, expressing readiness to collaborate with Trump’s administration despite acknowledging past “ups and downs.”
Biden noted that while he and Xi had disagreements, their conversations were always “frank” and “candid.”
Concerns over U.S.-China Relations
With two months until Trump’s inauguration, U.S. officials are wary of heightened tensions during the transition.
Biden stressed the importance of maintaining leader-to-leader dialogue after his departure, according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Trump has pledged aggressive trade measures, including 60% tariffs on Chinese goods, and plans to appoint hawkish officials like Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
Beijing opposes these steps, while Biden has sought to reduce tensions without major breakthroughs.
Agreement on Nuclear Decisions
Biden and Xi agreed that human decisions, not artificial intelligence, should govern nuclear weapon use—a first for U.S.-China talks.
They also discussed North Korea, whose alliance with Russia and troop deployment in Ukraine has raised alarms.
Biden urged China to prevent escalation, noting its influence over North Korea.
Contentious Issues Remain
Major disputes include Chinese cyberattacks, pressure on Taiwan, and maritime conflicts.
Biden condemned China’s military activity near Taiwan, while Xi criticized Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te’s independence efforts.
Taiwan thanked Biden and called China the “greatest source of regional instability.”
On trade, Biden defended U.S. restrictions on Chinese tech sectors as necessary for national security, while Xi denied allegations of cyberattacks and opposed U.S. involvement in the South China Sea disputes.
China continues to reject international rulings against its territorial claims in the region.