Xi vows cooperation with Trump amid US-China tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his commitment to cooperating with the incoming US administration under President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday.

Xi's remarks came during his final discussions with outgoing President Joe Biden, which covered issues such as cybercrime, trade, Taiwan, and Russia. The meeting, lasting roughly two hours, occurred at a hotel in Lima, Peru, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, marking their first conversation in seven months.

Xi emphasised China’s steadfast aim for a stable, healthy, and sustainable relationship with the U.S., despite past challenges.

He expressed readiness to engage with the new administration to foster communication, expand cooperation, and manage disagreements. Biden, while acknowledging differences in their views, described their discussions as “frank” and “candid.”

The talks took place two months before Trump’s inauguration. Trump has proposed imposing 60% tariffs on Chinese imports as part of his “America First” trade agenda, a stance Beijing opposes. Furthermore, Trump’s potential appointment of China hawks like Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mike Waltz to key positions adds to China’s concerns.

Biden has sought to ease tensions with Beijing, but recent events have strained relations, including alleged Chinese hacking of US government and campaign officials, pressure on Taiwan, and Beijing’s support for Russia.

Taiwan remains a contentious issue, with its President Lai Ching-te planning a US visit that could provoke China. At the same time, Biden met Taiwan’s former economy minister Lin Hsin-i during the summit, who invited him to visit Taiwan.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, while the US is Taiwan’s most significant international supporter and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Biden is also seeking China’s cooperation on addressing North Korea’s ties with Russia and its role in Ukraine.

Economic friction also looms large, as China faces the impact of Biden’s trade policies, including restrictions on US investments in Chinese technologies like artificial intelligence and semiconductors. These topics were expected to feature prominently in the discussions. Beijing has denied accusations of hacking and views Taiwan-related matters as internal issues.

During their meeting, Xi stressed that mutual respect and collaboration could yield significant progress in US-China relations. However, he warned that adversarial competition could damage their ties.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan highlighted the need for stability and clarity during the transition period, a sentiment echoed by experts, including Shanghai-based scholar Shen Dingli.

Meanwhile, the APEC summit provided a backdrop for regional leaders to assess Trump’s return to power. Xi's Latin American diplomatic tour, featuring agreements such as an updated free trade deal with Peru and state visits to Brazil, signals China’s growing influence in the region.

The US, however, remains wary of China's intentions, particularly regarding potential military and intelligence activities near US borders.

While Xi’s charm offensive in Latin America seeks to secure resources and partnerships, analysts suggest it is also aimed at improving perceptions of China’s business environment among American CEOs and investors.

In contrast, US officials underscored their commitment to the region and noted a decline in Chinese overseas investment due to domestic challenges.