U.S. media outlets have given mixed reviews on the recent summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which took place after about a year. While some focused on the ‘symbolic stabilization’ of relations that the summit represented, others noted that expectations were low from the outset. Particularly, Biden’s repeated labeling of Xi as a “dictator” during a press conference was seen as a stark reminder of the ongoing chill in bilateral relations and a confirmation of the significant underlying conflicts between the two nations.
CNN reported on November 16th (local time) that the basic nature of the relationship is unlikely to change, despite the summit being held in the outskirts of San Francisco the day before. The network described the summit as successful merely because it took place, but claimed that it is hard to consider the upbeat atmosphere following the four-hour conversation as an achievement, given the deliberately low expectations set and the considerable incentive for both sides to declare it productive.
The media outlet also pointed out that both Biden, facing a tough economic situation and an election next November, and Xi, needing to show his domestic supporters that he is managing relations with the U.S., had an inevitable need to ease tensions through this summit. It highlighted the symbolic significance of the summit in stabilizing relations, suggesting that just by reducing the threat of misjudgment and misunderstanding through the resumption of military dialogue, Biden’s decision to meet with Xi can be justified. However, it emphasized that “such important but incremental progress will do little to alleviate the fundamental factors driving the U.S. and China towards a more dangerous competition,” calling it a “break that is unlikely to be mended by a single summit.”
Politico, a political news outlet, noted that the frosty U.S.-China relationship was evident in two moments during Biden’s post-summit press conference. When asked if he still sees Xi as a dictator as he was leaving the conference, Biden responded, “Yes.” In response to a question about whether he trusts Xi, he revealed lingering distrust by saying, “There’s an old expression: Trust but verify.” The outlet reported, “Biden’s candid assessment further reflects the increasingly icy relationship between the two countries,” adding, “Deep divisions were revealed behind the superficial greetings of the two leaders.”
Politico also briefly mentioned the summit’s achievements, such as the resumption of military dialogue, increased cooperation on fentanyl response, and the resumption of new climate change talks, stating, “The biggest win Biden hoped for was a reset of relations, namely, cooling the temperature between the two. According to Biden, it is now successful.” However, the outlet also subtly criticized the low expectations set prior to the summit and the uncertainty of when the results might be overturned. It recalled that the two leaders had agreed on the so-called “Five Nos,” including no new Cold War and no regime change in China, at a meeting in Bali, Indonesia a year ago. However, relations between the two countries subsequently deteriorated due to U.S. export controls on China and the Chinese spy balloon incident.
Bloomberg also reported that “expectations were low due to deep-rooted disagreements over trade, Taiwan, and human rights,” and that “even the modest achievements of the summit were hard-won.” The agency highlighted Xi’s comment during a dinner with Apple CEO Tim Cook and others on the day of the summit that “China will never bet against the U.S. or interfere in its internal affairs,” calling it a “signal of how much work remains to be done.” It also drew attention to Biden’s continued reference to Xi as a dictator, emphasizing that “it could overshadow the results of the summit.”
Congressional news outlet The Hill also focused on Biden’s reference to Xi as a dictator, stating, “Biden once again called his counterpart a dictator. A move that could destabilize the already uneasy relationship between the two superpowers,” and “It was the second time this year that Biden has referred to Xi as a dictator.” The New York Times (NYT) assessed that “there were significant disagreements between the two sides on fundamental issues such as how to define the relationship, despite agreeing to suppress fentanyl and resume military communications at the summit.” The NYT reported, “Xi criticized U.S. efforts to contain China as futile, but also acknowledged that U.S. technology restrictions have dealt a big blow,” adding, “His message reflects a dual and sometimes contradictory set of priorities.”
There were also positive evaluations of the symbolism of the summit itself and some of its achievements. The Associated Press (AP) reported, “The two leaders failed to resolve any major geopolitical issues where their countries are in conflict, but they adopted a conciliatory tone that could be comforting to other countries, especially China’s neighbors,” adding, “Sometimes, it might be enough just to shake hands and sit down.” The Washington Post (WP) evaluated that “the two leaders sought to ease tensions in the relationship during a time of global chaos by agreeing to resume military dialogue,” and that “although the scope is small, the two agreements are a rare sign of cooperation between the two strongest countries in the world, which have been in conflict over trade, cyber and maritime security, human rights, and other urgent issues.”
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted that Xi did not mention trade or investment measures during a dinner with American business leaders, where he stated, “China is ready to be a partner and friend of the U.S.” According to a roundup of major foreign media outlets, about 300 people attended the dinner, with 44 people, including Cook, Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, and Ray Dalio, CEO of Bridgewater Associates, sitting at the table with Xi.
Meanwhile, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council (NSC), said in an online briefing with reporters that “President Biden was very satisfied with the progress made in yesterday’s four-hour meeting,” adding, “We were able to make very important progress.” However, he did not specifically answer questions about Biden’s post-summit characterization of Xi as a dictator.
Seul Ki Cho, New York Special Correspondent, seul@asiae.co.kr
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