President Joe Biden is poised to steer discussions at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco, aiming to reaffirm US leadership amid growing influence from Beijing and Moscow. The forum, which brings together a mix of allies and adversaries, will notably include Chinese President Xi Jinping. The event marks a significant moment for the Biden administration as it navigates complex geopolitical dynamics.
The APEC gathering, initially founded to foster Pacific Rim trade unity, has shifted focus in response to China’s assertive policies and the US’s strategic pivot towards more limited economic agreements and increased sanctions on China. This evolution reflects the changing landscape of international relations where economic integration and political tensions intersect.
The high-stakes meeting between Biden and Xi, their first since the G20 summit in Bali last year, is set against the backdrop of the upcoming US elections and ongoing global security concerns. With the potential Taiwan crisis looming large on the agenda, both leaders are expected to explore strategic and general issues that shape Sino-American relations. China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has confirmed their intention to engage in dialogue over these critical topics.
While the Biden-Xi meeting is likely to capture the spotlight, other APEC leaders are anticipated to welcome this interaction due to their economies’ deep entwinement with China and a shared desire for stability between the two superpowers. Despite efforts to maintain diplomatic channels with China, the US has taken a firm stance against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, was pointedly not invited to participate in the San Francisco forum.
This APEC Summit carries additional weight as it represents the seventh interaction between Biden and Xi during Biden’s presidency and marks President Xi’s first visit to the US in six years. Although no major breakthroughs on contentious issues like trade and Taiwan are anticipated, plans are in place to discuss re-establishing military communication channels between the two countries. The focus will be on managing disagreements while finding common ground where possible amidst the broader context of economic cooperation within the Pacific Rim.
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