On November 14, President Biden arrived in Peru to begin his six-day visit to Latin America. This marks his last major international summit during his presidency.
During this trip, President Biden is set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru and the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Brazil.
Officials from the Biden administration have indicated that the six-day meetings are not expected to result in significant new agreements, but may cover topics such as trade, security, and global alliances.
It is anticipated that President Biden will use these gatherings to urge allies to continue supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression and to work towards ending the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza, including the rescue of hostages held by the extremist group Hamas for over 13 months.
While this represents one of President Biden’s final opportunities to meet with world leaders during his tenure, international attention has already shifted towards President-elect Trump.
Several world leaders have reached out to congratulate Trump. Reports have surfaced that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has resumed playing golf, as this was known to be one of Trump’s prominent interests.
The White House officials stated that Biden’s visit will involve substantive discussions on climate issues, global infrastructure, anti-narcotics efforts, and one-on-one meetings with global leaders including Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Biden is also expected to hold joint meetings with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan informed reporters aboard Air Force One that the meetings with Yoon and Kishida aim to build upon progress made since the Davos Summit last year. This includes strengthening security and economic cooperation in the face of escalating tensions with China and North Korea.
Sullivan mentioned that efforts are underway to institutionalize trilateral relations between the US, Japan, and South Korea, making it a enduring feature of US policy with bipartisan support. However, he acknowledged that the success of these efforts would depend on the incoming presidential administrations.
Sullivan also noted that White House officials have informed Trump’s team that managing the delicate US-China relationship will be a top priority for the incoming government.
He emphasized that any destabilization in the Taiwan Strait would be catastrophic for all involved – Taiwan, Beijing, the US, and the world at large.
Considering the magnitude of the risk, even if the likelihood is not high, this issue must take precedence on the agenda, Sullivan added.
Trump has nominated prominent hardliners on China for key government positions, including Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Rep. Mike Waltz for National Security Advisor.
During his visit, Biden is expected to meet with Xi Jinping, offering the last opportunity for a direct challenge to the Chinese leader on issues like China’s threats to Taiwan, human rights abuses, and support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated in a release that President Biden is scheduled to meet Xi Jinping on Saturday in Lima, Peru.
“This will be the third meeting between the two leaders,” Jean-Pierre said, indicating that the meeting will build upon the discussions from the Woodside Summit in California in November 2023 and the Bali meeting in Indonesia in November 2022, focusing on “bilateral, regional, and global issues.”
Sullivan stated that economic and military competition between the US and China will shape the world for the next 30 years. He also highlighted the bipartisan spirit displayed by the Republicans and Democrats in the realm of China policy.
Sullivan mentioned that Biden will not relay any messages about Trump to Xi Jinping, but may discuss the necessity of avoiding military conflicts.
“He will also emphasize the need for maintaining communication channels at all levels to responsibly manage future competitions, particularly at the military-to-military level,” he said.
In early 2023, Biden’s decision to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon hovering over US territory intensified tensions between the US and China, marking a significant turning point in their relationship.
During the remaining time of Biden’s presidency, he will aim to stabilize US-China relations while addressing concerns over China’s malign behavior, including targeted sanctions. The Biden administration has also criticized China’s military assertions towards Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan.
Between the APEC and G20 summits, Biden plans to visit the Amazon rainforest, marking the first time a sitting US president visits this region.
Biden is also expected to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during this trip.