Biden and Xi Face Off in Peru: One Last Dance Before the Trump Tsunami Hits

Lima, Peru (CNN) - As President Joe Biden prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the final time on Saturday, the atmosphere is palpable with a sense of introspection and unease. For Biden, this meeting not only marks the culmination of a relationship that spans over a decade but also comes at a critical juncture in global politics, with the specter of former US President Donald Trump looming large on the horizon.

According to sources within the Biden administration, the President and his team have been preparing for this moment extensively, aware that it may be one of the last opportunities for meaningful dialogue between the two leaders before Trump throws his hat into the ring for the 2024 presidential elections. This potential development has created an undercurrent of tension, as Biden and Xi navigate a complex web of international politics, economic interests, and global security concerns.

The Biden-Xi relationship is a microcosm of the broader US-China dynamic, which has undergone significant shifts in recent years. From an initial period of relative cordiality and cooperation, the relationship has steadily deteriorated, with both sides engaging in a heated game of one-upmanship on issues such as trade, technology, and security. Despite these challenges, the two leaders have managed to maintain an open channel of communication, meeting on several occasions to discuss pressing global issues.

However, with Trump's looming presence casting a long shadow over international relations, there are concerns that the already fragile US-China relationship may be pushed to the brink of collapse. Trump's unorthodox approach to foreign policy, marked by a penchant for unilateral action and a general disregard for diplomatic norms, has the potential to upend the fragile balance of power that has characterized the relationship between the world's two largest economies.

Against this backdrop, the Biden-Xi meeting takes on added significance. While the tone of the meeting is expected to remain conciliatory, there is an undercurrent of urgency and a recognition that the time for meaningful action is quickly running out. As Biden and Xi engage in what is likely to be their final meeting, they will be acutely aware that the decisions taken in the coming months will have far-reaching implications for the future of the US-China relationship and the broader global order.