WASHINGTON — Tensions over Taiwan, Russia’s war in Ukraine and clashes over the economy dominated talks between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday.
The planned call between leaders – their first in more than four months – comes as the US tries to win back a Competitive advantage over China and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi considers visit to Taiwan.
The call lasted more than two hours, according to the White House, reflecting the long and delicate agenda.
Xi and Biden agreed to meet in person at a time to be determined, said a US official who briefed reporters after the call.
The newest:
- catch up: Biden and Xi began their call at 8:33 a.m. ET, the White House said.
- Last call: They last spoke on March 18 and met in person at the G-20 summit in Indonesia in November.
- The biggest concerns in the US: White House national security coordinator John Kirby said Wednesday that “tensions over Taiwan” would be a topic of discussion. Taiwan is a self-governing island that China considers part of its territory.
- Biden Mom: Biden declined to answer questions about the call from reporters at an economic event Thursday afternoon.
- White House ad: The White House released a brief statement on the call, saying leaders had “discussed a range of issues,” including climate change and health security.
- What the Chinese said: The Chinese government was the first of the two nations to read the call between the leaders, saying in a statement Xi discouraged Biden from focusing on the rivalry between the nations.
- Competition law: One area of disagreement appeared to be the computer chip law that Congress was about to pass Thursday. It seeks to reduce US manufacturing’s dependence on China, particularly for semiconductors.
- Differences to Taiwan: In the statement, China noted that Taiwan was a key topic of discussion during the call, with Xi reiterating the nation’s staunch opposition to Taiwan independence.
- No Policy Change: The White House suggested that Biden warned Xi against taking any action that would upend the status quo.
What you say
- Legislation nearing completion in Congress aimed at increasing US competition with China was on the agenda, according to the Chinese.
- “Attempts to decouple or sever supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the US economy. They would only make the global economy more vulnerable,” China’s statement said.
- The harshest rhetoric was reserved for Taiwan, with the Chinese declaring that “public opinion on this issue cannot be contradicted” and declaring “those who play with fire will perish.”
- “It is to be hoped that the US will have clear eyes on this. The US should honor the one-China principle and implement the three joint communiqués in word and deed,” the statement said. The US has long tried to navigate a murky middle ground aimed at supporting Taiwan without provoking China.
- A US official declined to “analyze the various metaphors” China has used regarding Taiwan, but said the discussion was “direct and honest.”
- The official also stressed that the legislature is a separate and equal branch of government.
- Biden did not announce any potential action on Trump-era tariffs on China during the call, the US official said.
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