U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to speak over the phone in the coming weeks, following a trip to Beijing by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The visit signals a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations amidst ongoing tensions and strategic disagreements.
Key Points of the Upcoming Call
- Announcement of the Call: The White House announced the anticipated phone call between President Biden and President Xi. This development follows Jake Sullivan’s trip to Beijing, where he met with Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat. Both nations indicated that their military leaders would also hold a call soon, reflecting a broader attempt to open more lines of communication.
- Focus of Sullivan’s Trip: During Sullivan’s meetings in Beijing, discussions focused on key issues including technology restrictions, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Ukraine. The official readouts from both countries suggested that they maintained their firm positions on these issues. Sullivan’s visit marks the first trip to China by a U.S. president’s national security advisor since 2016.
- Artificial Intelligence and Climate Talks: In addition to military and diplomatic communications, both nations are planning a second round of talks on artificial intelligence. The White House also mentioned that John Podesta, senior advisor to the president for international climate policy, will soon travel to China, although no specific date was provided.
- Background of U.S.-China Relations: High-level communications between the U.S. and China have been challenging in recent years due to increased tensions and Covid-19 restrictions. The relationship faced further strain after former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan in August 2022 and a high-profile incident involving a Chinese surveillance balloon in February 2023, which led to the suspension of some planned talks.
- Upcoming Political Context: The White House statement about the upcoming call did not specifically mention President Biden or President Xi, referring instead to plans for a “leader-level call.” Notably, Biden is not running for re-election after this summer and has ceded the nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite political changes, the issue of being tough on Beijing remains a rare bipartisan agreement in the U.S.
- Sullivan’s Historic Visit: Jake Sullivan’s visit to Beijing represents the first trip by a U.S. National Security Advisor since Susan Rice’s visit in 2016 under the Obama administration. Sullivan’s discussions in Beijing highlight ongoing efforts to manage the “China challenge,” which, according to Harris’ national security advisor Phil Gordon, goes beyond Taiwan and involves ensuring that China does not acquire advanced technologies and capabilities that could challenge U.S. strategic interests.
Implications for U.S.-China Relations
The scheduled phone call between Biden and Xi, alongside Sullivan’s visit, marks a cautious step towards re-engagement between the two countries. It reflects a mutual recognition of the need for dialogue amidst ongoing global and regional challenges. However, the continuation of strategic disagreements on various issues indicates that while communication may improve, substantive changes in U.S.-China relations remain uncertain. The outcome of this diplomatic engagement could have significant implications for global stability and economic relations in the coming months.
