Navigating the Complexities: Biden and Xi Seek Clarity Amidst Chilled Relations

President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping are set to meet for talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Both leaders have clear objectives for the meeting, with Biden focused on managing economic competition and preventing misunderstandings that could lead to conflict. He will defend US expansion of export controls on semiconductor chips and seek to reopen military-to-military communications with China. Biden will also address concerns about Chinese interference in the US presidential election and urge China to use its influence over Iran to prevent escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Xi, on the other hand, wants assurances from Biden that the US will not support Taiwan independence, start a new cold war, or suppress China's economic growth. He will also seek rollbacks in tariffs and sanctions and aim to bolster confidence in China as a safe place to invest.