Biden and Xi to discuss North Korea’s role in Russia’s war against Ukraine

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet on November 16 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru.

The White House announced the meeting, with a representative outlining key issues to be addressed.

Biden and Xi are expected to discuss a broad range of topics, including the resumption of military contacts, combating the global fentanyl crisis, managing the risks associated with artificial intelligence, and trade relations.

One major focus will be security, particularly protecting critical US infrastructure from cyberattacks, as well as concerns over China's military activity near Taiwan and in the South China Sea. Biden also plans to raise issues about China's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine and any possible involvement with North Korea in aiding Russia.

Additionally, Biden intends to address China's "unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices," which the White House says harm American workers and businesses.

This meeting is likely to be Biden and Xi's last before Donald Trump assumes the presidency in January 2025. The president-elect has nominated strong China critics to key foreign policy roles, including Congressman Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser and Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. These appointments could signal a more confrontational US stance toward China.

Xi Jinping also anticipates changes in US policy under the new administration, with a key concern being Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese goods. During his campaign, Trump vowed to impose high tariffs on all Chinese imports to protect U.S. manufacturers and limit China's growing global influence.

Meanwhile, the current US administration plans to submit a request to Congress for additional aid to Ukraine for the 2025 fiscal year during the transition period.