US-China Relations on Edge as Officials Deliberate Biden-Xi Talks Amid Impending American Elections

The ongoing discourse between the U.S. and Chinese officials regarding the imminent dialogue between Biden and Xi appears to be gaining momentum. This discourse comes at a crucial juncture as American elections are beginning to cast a formidable shadow over the bilateral relations. Anticipating the elections’ potential influence, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi, held a pivotal seven-hour dialogue. Inarguably, the current political climate underscores the need for averting a downward spiral in relations between the world’s two largest economies. The main agenda of this dialogue centered around the prospective meeting of the two most consequential leaders of modern times, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This high-level dialogue between the U.S. and Chinese officialdom serves to perform an impressive balancing act- simultaneously addressing the current issues while preparing a foundation for the critical dialogue between the Presidents. Amid growing concerns surrounding human rights, cyber hacking, Taiwan, and trade, this dialogue serves as not just a platform to iron out differences, but also a harbinger of hope for improving Sino-American relations. However, the leaders are presumably wary of the influence of forthcoming American elections. These elections yield tremendous power as they can cause new shifts in the geopolitical landscape. As political analysts promptly point out, any major policy decision made now can have significant ramification during the elections. The reference point of the American elections surely lurks in the background, providing a sobering reality check to both Beijing and Washington. Evidently, President Biden would have to simultaneously deal with national repercussions and international relations. In this context, it can be surmised that the message the U.S. wants to communicate through this discourse is two-pronged. Primarily, it aims to tell China that the U.S. stands unified, election or no election, in addressing Chinese policies that it considers undermining international norms. Simultaneously, the reckoning of the imminent election also sends a message to the American electorate affirming Biden’s commitment to preserving American interests. This is particularly relevant in Biden’s endeavor to cement his foreign policy legacy. Through these discussions, Biden can show to his electorate that his administration is keenly focused on dealing firmly with China while managing domestic concerns. China, on the other hand, would also view the upcoming American elections with detailed scrutiny. Any shift in the American political landscape could potentially alter the imagination of China’s relationship with the U.S. However, China’s chief interest would be to ensure that relations between the two nations do not further decline. Evidently, the conversations between U.S. and Chinese officials serve as a conduit not just for fostering dialogues between the presidents but also for negotiating the influence of imminent American elections on their bilateral relation. As the two largest economies brace for potentially game-changing events, stakes for both nations and their leadership remain colossal. This dialogue certainly underscores the intricate balancing act of diplomacy that has to straddle the thorny issues of national interests and imminent elections.