President Joe Biden is preparing for a decisive, high-stakes conversation with President Xi Jinping focused on the most sensitive strands of US-China relations. Among the topics likely to surface are Beijing’s partnerships with Tehran and Moscow, as well as Beijing’s place in the broader situation in Ukraine. This briefing comes as Washington signals it will press China to adopt a more influential posture toward Iran to deter any escalation or expansion of violence in the Middle East amid the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli crisis. In parallel, the White House has signaled that Washington would respond swiftly to any provocative moves from Tehran, underscoring the administration’s readiness to defend its interests in the region.
Beyond geopolitical flashpoints, speakers from the United States are expected to raise questions about the role of China in the opioid crisis that has touched communities across America. U.S. officials have long argued that tighter controls over production and distribution in China could curb the flow of precursor substances and fentanyl-related materials that have enabled illicit trafficking into Mexico and, ultimately, into the United States. The discussion with Xi is anticipated to include a candid assessment of shared responsibilities in addressing this public health emergency, while balancing concerns about economic and strategic competition.
Politico has reported that Biden views the forthcoming meeting as a critical opportunity to reset and recalibrate the relationship with Beijing, especially in the run-up to the next presidential election. A successful in-person dialogue could lay the groundwork for more constructive engagement between Washington and Beijing, providing a framework for cooperation on areas where interests align and a clear pathway to manage tensions where they diverge.
In related assessments, former U.S. officials have characterized Russia and China as the most significant challenges to global stability today. These remarks reflect a broader assessment that the two nations, through coordinated diplomacy and aligned strategic messaging, pose a sustained test to international norms and the rules-based order. The dialogue with Xi Jinping, therefore, is framed not just as a bilateral engagement but as a strategic moment in which the United States seeks tangible signals of a potential shift in China’s approach to international issues, security commitments, and economic policies.