Biden and Xi discussed Taiwan, AI, and fentanyl in a call aiming to resume regular leader talks. Described as “candid and constructive” by the White House, it marked their first conversation since November’s summit in California, according to AP.
The call focused on renewed military ties and cooperation on fentanyl. Xi emphasized the principle of “no clash, no confrontation,” prioritizing stability in US-China relations. The 105-minute call initiates weeks of high-level engagements. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are scheduled to visit China soon. Biden advocates sustained interactions at all government levels to prevent conflicts between the two nations. Both sides recognize the importance of frequent leader engagements beyond annual summits.
The leaders discussed Taiwan before the upcoming inauguration of Lai Ching-te, the island’s president-elect, who pledges to maintain its de-facto independence from China and strengthen ties with other democracies. Biden reaffirmed the U.S.’s “One China” policy and opposed any coercive methods by China to control Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a domestic issue and strongly opposes U.S. support for the island.
Xi informed Biden that Taiwan remains the “first red line not to be crossed,” stressing that Beijing won’t tolerate separatist activities from Taiwan’s independence forces or external support, hinting at Washington’s backing for the island.
Biden expressed concerns about China’s actions in the South China Sea, particularly its recent interference with the Philippines’ resupply efforts at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, which the U.S. is obligated to defend under treaty.
In the upcoming week, Biden will host Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a joint summit at the White House, with a focus on addressing China’s influence in the region.
During the call with Xi, Biden urged China to fulfill its commitments to combat illegal drug trafficking and regulate precursor chemical exports, agreements made at last year’s leaders’ summit in Woodside, California, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.
At the November summit, Biden and Xi agreed to formal talks on the promises and risks of advanced artificial intelligence in the coming weeks, building on their recent discussion. This followed China and the U.S. joining over 120 other nations in supporting a United Nations resolution for global safeguards around AI technology.
During the call, Biden reiterated warnings to Xi about interfering in the 2024 U.S. elections and continued cyberattacks on critical American infrastructure. He also raised human rights concerns in China, including issues like Hong Kong’s restrictive national security law, treatment of minority groups, and the situation of detained or barred Americans.
The Democratic president urged China to reconsider its defense ties with Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and to leverage its influence over North Korea. He also raised concerns about China’s unfair economic practices and reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to protecting its interests, including restricting the transfer of advanced technology to China. Xi expressed frustration over increased U.S. measures against China’s economy and technology sector. While both leaders reaffirmed their positions, the call indicates a shared desire to maintain stability in their relationship, according to Yun Sun, director of the China program at Stimson Center.
The call preceded Yellen’s upcoming visit to Guangzhou and Beijing for bilateral meetings with finance leaders from China, including Vice Premier He Lifeng and Central Bank Gov. Pan Gongsheng, as well as American businesses and local leaders.
Before her visit to China, Yellen recently remarked that Beijing’s surge in green energy production “distorts global prices.” She plans to discuss with her counterparts the potential risks posed to global productivity and growth by China’s increased output of solar energy, electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries.
Renewed concerns among U.S. lawmakers about Chinese ownership of TikTok have led to new legislation. This proposed law would require ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based owner, to divest its stakes in the platform within six months of the bill’s passage, or else TikTok would face a ban.
As chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., Yellen holds significant authority to determine the conditions under which the company can continue operating in the U.S.
Despite challenges in the property sector and the lingering impacts of COVID-19 restrictions, China’s leaders aim for 5% economic growth this year.
China dominates the electric vehicle battery market and boasts a rapidly expanding auto industry poised to compete with established global carmakers.
To address concerns about foreign influence, the U.S. outlined plans last year to restrict EV buyers from claiming tax credits for cars containing battery materials from countries deemed hostile. Additionally, the Department of Commerce initiated an investigation into potential national security risks associated with Chinese car exports to the U.S.
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