- Sullivan has arrived in China for his first visit
- Sullivan will engage in talks with Yi
- The Biden administration has pursued diplomacy
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has arrived in China for his first visit, marking a significant effort to stabilize relations between the two nations.
Sullivan will engage in talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with whom he has met four times previously in various locations worldwide.
Their discussions aim to build on the momentum from the January summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, which sought to reset strained ties.
This week’s meetings, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, demonstrate the Biden administration’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing the US-China relationship, even as the president’s term nears its end.
Both Sullivan and Wang have acknowledged the need for cooperation amidst disagreements.
While the White House avoids directly linking Sullivan’s trip to the US presidential election, the timing is notable.
A successful visit could lay the groundwork for a final Biden-Xi summit, tying up loose ends in the president’s complex and consequential foreign policy relationship with China.
From Beijing’s perspective, the talks represent a “critical juncture.” Chinese diplomats are closely watching the US election, particularly given the unexpected development of President Biden’s retirement and Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy.
The next US presidency may bring significant changes, as Donald Trump has vowed to increase tariffs on Chinese goods, potentially escalating the trade war initiated in 2019.
In contrast, the Biden administration has pursued diplomacy while maintaining and even expanding Trump-era tariffs.
