Analysis of Recent Phone Call Between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping

The recent phone call between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping was described as an opportunity for the two leaders to “check in” and manage the strained U.S.-China relationship. The White House emphasized the need for intense diplomacy to address tensions, misperceptions, and prevent unintended conflict. This call was seen as a way to achieve those goals.

During the call, Biden planned to raise various U.S. concerns with Xi, including the economic relationship between the two countries, tensions over Taiwan, China’s support for Russia in its Ukraine invasion, and growing cybersecurity threats, particularly in light of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The leaders had previously agreed to resume military communications between the U.S. and China at a summit in California.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is scheduled to hold face-to-face meetings with Chinese counterparts to discuss economic issues over five days in Guangzhou and Beijing. Yellen expressed concerns about China’s overproduction of clean energy products and its impact on global markets. The Treasury Department has also raised issues about China’s financial practices, specifically its investments in U.S. tech companies for accessing sensitive data.

The Biden administration is making efforts to stabilize relations with China after years of strained communication. This breakdown began with tariffs imposed during the Trump era, leading to a near trade war. Biden continued to impose trade restrictions on China. Both leaders agreed to increase communication during their last meeting in November, acknowledging the need for more dialogue between the two countries.

Overall, the recent phone call between President Biden and President Xi aimed to address key concerns, including economic issues, military communications, and cybersecurity threats. The Biden administration is working to stabilize relations with China through diplomatic efforts and direct engagement with Chinese counterparts. The outcome of these discussions will be critical in determining the future of the U.S.-China relationship.