With the American midterm elections on the horizon, U.S. and Chinese officials have been engaged in discussions about a potential meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The talks reflect the complexities of the bilateral relationship amid the weighty influence of the upcoming elections.
The prospect of a Biden-Xi talk comes amid mounting tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The issues range from human rights issues in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, the origin of the COVID-19 virus, trade disputes and cybersecurity attacks, among others. Despite these conflicts, there is an underlying desire on both sides to find common ground where possible.
As the discussions unfold, the impending U.S. midterm elections present a significant backdrop against which these negotiations are happening. These elections, widely viewed as a referendum on the sitting president’s performance, often lead to policy shifts, particularly in foreign affairs, to garner public and political favor. In this context, the Biden-Xi talks could impact U.S. voters and consequently, the political landscape.
In recent times, the public sentiment towards China in the U.S. has been increasingly negative, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center. The alleged lack of transparency from China during the COVID-19 pandemic and developments in Hong Kong and Xinjiang have further exacerbated these sentiments. Against this backdrop, the Biden administration’s approach to these talks is likely to be watched closely and may influence voter decisions.
Concurrently, China is dealing with its internal pressures, including a slowing economy, the Evergrande crisis, and its ongoing tech crackdown. As China handles these issues, its government remains cautious about dealing with a U.S. administration that, despite expressing a desire for stable relations, has so far continued hardline Trump-era policies such as tariffs and sanctions.
Despite the tensions, both countries acknowledge the importance of strategic and direct communication between their leaders. Discussions about having this virtual meeting are an indication of this understanding. They also recognize the need for cooperation in areas where their interests align, such as climate change and nuclear non-proliferation.
The handling of the talks will have significant bearings not only on the bilateral relationship between America and China, but also on the domestic political dynamics within each country. For the Biden administration, the challenge is to negotiate China’s cooperation on critical global issues while managing the dominant domestic anti-China sentiment, which could significantly impact the upcoming midterm elections.
The Biden-Xi talks, therefore, are a complex dance of diplomacy and domestic politics – a measure of the administration’s foreign policy acumen, a gauge of public sentiment, and a testament to the bilateral issues that cloud the U.S.-China relationship.
In conclusion, as the clock ticks towards the U.S. midterm elections, the discussion about the Biden-Xi meeting serves to underline the complexities of the U.S.-China relations. How this negotiation progresses may influence not only the international relations landscape but also the domestic political scene in the U.S. A successful negotiation, finding common ground amid differences, may serve to shape a new chapter in U.S.-China relations. Consequently, the stakes for both countries – and for President Biden’s administration, in particular – are inevitably high.
