Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged to work with President-elect Donald Trump in his last meeting with current US leader Joe Biden.
The two men met on Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual summit in Peru, and acknowledged their relationship had had “ups and downs” during Biden’s four years in office.
But both sides emphasized progress in easing tensions on issues such as trade and Taiwan.
Analysts say Trump’s return to office within two months could further destabilize U.S.-China relations, due to factors such as his promise to increase tariffs on Chinese imports. .
The president-elect has promised to impose a 60% tariff on all imports from China. He also appointed prominent China hawks to top foreign and defense posts.
During his first term, Trump referred to China as a “strategic competitor.” Relations soured during the pandemic after the former president labeled the coronavirus the “Chinese virus.”
Speaking at a meeting at a hotel in Lima on Saturday, the Chinese president said Beijing’s goal of stable relations with the United States remains unchanged.
“China is ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and address differences,” Xi said.
Biden said the strategic competition between the two world powers should not escalate into war.
“Our two countries cannot allow this competition to descend into conflict. It is our responsibility and in the last four years we have proven that it is possible to maintain this relationship. I think so,” he said.
During Mr. Biden’s term in office, relations with China intensified, including the reconnaissance balloon incident and the Chinese military’s display of firepower around Taiwan in the wake of a visit by a senior U.S. official.
China insists its claim to the autonomous island is a red line that should not be crossed.
But the Biden administration aimed to “responsibly manage” the conflict with China after President Trump’s first term.
Analysts say Beijing is likely most concerned about the unpredictability of the next president.
Bonnie Glaser, managing director of German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific program, said: “The Chinese side is willing to negotiate and reach an agreement, and perhaps engage early with the Trump team to discuss a potential deal. “I hope for that,” he said.
“But at the same time, we are prepared to retaliate if President Trump insists on raising tariffs on China.”
He added that China “may also be concerned about the lack of reliable back channels to influence President Trump’s policies.”
Biden acknowledged on Saturday that he had always had disagreements with Xi, but added that his discussions with Xi had been “candid” and “candid.”
The two men have met three times during Biden’s tenure in the White House, including a key summit in San Francisco last year where the two sides reached agreements on combating drugs and climate change.
But President Biden’s White House also continued Trump-era tariffs. In May, the administration imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, solar panels and steel.
To counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region, it strengthened defense alliances across Asia and the Pacific. The outgoing president also said the United States would defend Taiwan if it was invaded by China.
