In couples therapy, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are at the stage where communication is complicated and trust is almost zero. The two leaders arrived Tuesday in San Francisco, California, on the eve of an extremely anticipated meeting, intended to prevent the very fresh relationship between their two countries from further deteriorating. But expectations, after 18 months of tensions, are particularly low.
Air Force One landed first at the end of the morning, followed a few hours later by the plane carrying the Chinese president, his first visit to the United States since Joe Biden was president.
Xi Jinping was welcomed on the tarmac by the governor of the western state, Gavin Newsom, as well as by the American Minister of Finance, Janet Yellen.
“Frank and direct”
The American and Chinese presidents are due to have a long meeting on Wednesday, their first in person in a year, the primary objective of which is to ensure that the rivalry between the two superpowers remains under control.
The 80-year-old Democrat is also coming to California to welcome his guests to a summit of Apec, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This diplomatic format brings together 21 countries, together accounting for 60% of the world economy.
Joe Biden arrives at these major diplomatic meetings with “the wind at his back,” said a White House spokesperson, John Kirby. The Chinese and American presidents “know each other very well and have been able to be frank and direct with each other for a long time,” he added. Joe Biden “wants to ensure that we manage this all-important bilateral relationship in the most responsible manner possible,” he further commented.
Beijing in the vague
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, remained vague, promising an “in-depth dialogue” on “essential issues concerning peace and development in the world”.
The United States and China compete fiercely in terms of economy, technology and diplomatic influence. The two superpowers have been going through a phase of very high tension for 18 months, after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and then the flight over American territory by a Chinese balloon.
If the basic problems have not been resolved, in particular with regard to Taiwan, the tone has softened a little since the summer and diplomatic contacts have resumed, in particular to prepare for Thursday’s face-to-face meeting.
It will also discuss the two major international crises of the moment: the war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Joe Biden strongly supports Ukraine as well as Israel, diplomatically and militarily. China, for its part, is allied with Russia and Iran, a supporter of Hamas.