Chinese language chief Xi Jinping has pledged to work with incoming President Donald Trump in his last assembly with present US chief Joe Biden.
The 2 met on Saturday on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (Apec) summit in Peru the place they acknowledged “ups and downs” in relations over Biden’s 4 years in workplace.
However each highlighted progress in reducing tensions on points resembling commerce and Taiwan.
Analysts say US-China relations might turn into extra unstable when Trump returns to workplace in two months, pushed by components together with a promise to lift tariffs on Chinese language imports.
The president-elect has pledged 60% tariffs on all imports from China. He has additionally appointed outstanding China hawks to prime international and defence positions.
Throughout his first time period, Trump labelled China a “strategic competitor”. Relations worsened when the previous president labelled Covid a “Chinese language virus” throughout the pandemic.
Talking on Saturday on the assembly held at his resort in Lima, the Chinese language president stated Beijing’s aim of a secure relationship with Washington would stay unchanged.
“China is able to work with the brand new US administration to keep up communication, develop cooperation and handle variations,” Xi stated.
Biden stated strategic competitors between the 2 international powers mustn’t escalate into warfare.
“Our two nations can’t let any of this competitors veer into battle. That’s our accountability and during the last 4 years I believe we have confirmed it is doable to have this relationship,” he stated.
Biden’s time in workplace did see flare-ups in relations with China, together with a spy balloon saga and shows of Chinese language navy firepower round Taiwan triggered by the go to of a senior US official.
China says its declare to the self-ruling island is a pink line.
Nonetheless, the Biden administration aimed to “responsibly handle” rivalry with Beijing after Trump’s first time period.
Beijing is prone to be most involved in regards to the president-elect’s unpredictability, analysts say.
“The Chinese language are prepared to barter and deal, and doubtless hope for early engagement with the Trump crew to debate potential transactions,” stated Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific Program.
“On the similar time, nonetheless, they’re able to retaliate if Trump insists on imposing larger tariffs on China.”
She added that China may additionally be “seemingly anxious that that they lack dependable again channels to affect Trump’s coverage”.
Biden on Saturday acknowledged there had all the time been disagreements with Xi however added that discussions between him and the Chinese language chief had been “frank” and “candid”.
The pair held three face-to-face conferences throughout Biden’s time within the White Home, together with a key summit final yr in San Francisco the place either side got here to agreements on combatting narcotics and local weather change.
However Biden’s White Home additionally continued Trump-era tariffs. His authorities imposed duties in Might concentrating on China’s electrical automobiles, photo voltaic panels and steels.
He additionally strengthened defence alliances throughout Asia and the Pacific to counter China’s growing assertiveness within the area. The outgoing president has additionally stated the US would defend Taiwan if it have been invaded by China.
