As President Joe Biden’s term draws to a close, his handling of the complex and often contentious relationship with China will be a crucial aspect of his legacy. Over the past four years, the United States and China have engaged in a high-stakes competition for global supremacy, with tensions simmering on multiple fronts.
One of the most pressing concerns has been China’s aggressive posturing in the South China Sea and its repeated threats to invade Taiwan. The situation has been further complicated by Chinese incursions into the US, including the infamous spy balloon incident in February 2023, which was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the growing alliance between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised alarm bells in the West.
Despite these challenges, the Biden administration has maintained a dialogue with China, with national security adviser Jake Sullivan visiting Beijing last month for a “working visit.” Sullivan expressed optimism about a potential meeting between Biden and Xi at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum or the G20 summit, saying it would be a “natural” opportunity for the two leaders to sit down and discuss pressing issues.
Biden and Xi have met in person twice during the president’s tenure, in November 2022 and 2023, and have also held several phone calls, including a recent one in April 2024. However, the relationship has been strained, particularly following the spy balloon incident, which led to a significant deterioration in relations.
China’s increasing cooperation with Russia has also been a concern, with the two countries declaring a “no limits” partnership in February 2022. This alliance has been further solidified by multiple meetings between Xi and Putin, including a high-profile gathering in Beijing during the Winter Olympics. The partnership has been seen as a challenge to US influence and has contributed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Tensions between the US and China remain high, particularly with regard to Taiwan. While China has not invaded the island, despite long-standing threats, the US has maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding its potential response to such an action. However, Biden has repeatedly stated that the US military would come to Taiwan’s aid in the event of an attack, comments that have been met with anger from China.
In the final months of his presidency, Biden’s handling of the US-China relationship will be closely watched, particularly with regard to Taiwan and potential Chinese attempts to influence the 2024 election. A recent report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence found that China is focused on influencing down-ballot races, rather than the presidential election, and is seeking to build relationships with US officials and entities at the state and local levels. As Biden’s term draws to a close, his legacy on US-China relations will begin to take shape, setting the stage for future developments in the complex and often contentious relationship between the two superpowers.
