Biden to press Xi on North Korea's Support for Russia in Ukraine

US President Joe Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping one last time at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru. This will be their final talk before Biden leaves office in just over two months. 

In this important meeting, Biden will ask Xi to help stop North Korea from supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Biden has had a long relationship with Xi, considering him an important global leader. Their last discussion is expected to be critical, with Biden urging Xi to take action on several pressing issues, especially the situation with North Korea. 

Today, President Yoon Suk Yeol, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, and I convened in the spirit of Camp David to commemorate the progress we've made since 2023.

The actions that we take together will continue to bolster regional and global peace and security well into the future. pic.twitter.com/ke8LG9jC0r

— President Biden (@POTUS) November 15, 2024

With rising tensions in the region, officials say Biden hopes China will step up to prevent further conflict with North Korea.

Tensions Over North Korea’s Support for Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been helping Russia in its fight against Ukraine. On Friday, Biden, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba condemned North Korea’s actions. 

They criticized Kim for sending troops to Russia and helping Moscow fight Ukrainian forces. Biden called this cooperation “dangerous and destabilizing.” The leaders agreed that this kind of support from North Korea could make the situation even worse.

White House officials have expressed their frustration with China. China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner, yet they have not done enough to stop Pyongyang’s dangerous behavior. Biden, Yoon, and Ishiba discussed this issue in a 50-minute meeting, agreeing that it was in Beijing’s best interest to stop North Korea from supporting Russia.

In addition to sending troops, North Korea has provided Russia with artillery and other weapons. This has raised concerns among the US, Japan, and South Korea. 

The three countries are also worried about North Korea’s growing number of missile tests. North Korea has been testing its ballistic missiles more frequently and claims to be making progress in developing weapons that could potentially reach the United States.

Biden and Xi’s Final Meeting: Key Issues to Discuss

The meeting between Biden and Xi won’t just focus on North Korea. There are other important issues on the table, such as China’s indirect support for Russia, human rights, technology, and Taiwan. Biden has always been clear about his stance on Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that China claims as part of its territory.

Another key issue is the future of US-China relations under the next president, Donald Trump. 

Trump has promised to impose high tariffs on Chinese imports, which could increase tensions between the two countries. American companies like Nike and Warby Parker have already started moving their production away from China to avoid possible tariffs.

The US-China Relationship Under Trump

The Biden administration is preparing for the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House. Trump has often criticized China, especially in terms of trade. 

He campaigned on a promise to impose tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods. This could lead to even more challenges in the US-China relationship. Many American businesses are already taking steps to reduce their reliance on China, and more companies may follow suit.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that managing competition with China will be one of the biggest foreign policy challenges for the next administration. Whether Biden or Trump leads the US, the relationship with China will be a key issue to address.