Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged to cooperate with incoming President Donald Trump in his final meeting with current US leader Joe Biden.
The two met on Saturday on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Peru, where they acknowledged the “ups and downs” in the relationship during Trump’s four years in power. Biden.
But both highlighted progress in reducing tensions over issues such as trade and Taiwan.
Analysts say US-China relations could become more volatile when Trump returns to power in two months, due to factors including his promise to increase tariffs on Chinese imports.
The president-elect has pledged to impose 60% tariffs on all imports from China. He has also appointed prominent China hawks to foreign affairs and defense leadership positions.
During his first term, Trump called China a “strategic competitor.” The relationship worsened when the former president referred to Covid as the “Chinese virus” during the pandemic.
Speaking Saturday at a meeting held at his hotel in Lima, the Chinese President said Beijing’s goal of a stable relationship with Washington would not change.
“China is willing to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and resolve differences,” Mr. Xi said.
Biden said strategic competition between the two global powers should not escalate to war.
“Our two countries cannot let any competition turn to conflict,” he said. That’s our responsibility and over the last four years, I think we’ve proven that this relationship can exist.”
Biden’s time in office has seen a boom in relations with China, including spy bubble story and a display of Chinese military firepower around Taiwan following a visit by a senior US official.
China says its claim to the self-governing island is a red line.
However, the Biden administration aims to “responsibly manage” competition with Beijing after Trump’s first term.
Analysts say Beijing may be most concerned about the president-elect’s unpredictability.
“The Chinese are ready to negotiate and make deals, and can expect to soon engage with Trump’s team to discuss potential transactions.”
“However, at the same time, they are ready to retaliate if Trump insists on imposing higher tariffs on China.”
She added that China may also be “worried that it lacks reliable channels of support to influence Trump’s policies”.
Mr. Biden on Saturday admitted there have always been disagreements with Mr. Xi but added that discussions between him and the Chinese leader were “candid” and “frank.”
The pair have held three face-to-face meetings during Biden’s time in the White House, including a key summit last year in San Francisco where both sides reached an anti-drug agreement and climate change.
But the Biden White House also continued to impose Trump-era tariffs. His government imposed tariffs in May targeting Chinese electric cars, solar panels and steel.
He also strengthened defense alliances across Asia and the Pacific to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region. The outgoing president also said the US will defend Taiwan if it is invaded by China.
