In a pivotal meeting held in Peru, President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in what might be their final face-to-face discussion regarding the escalating rivalry between the United States and China. The context of this meeting was particularly significant as it came right before the upcoming U.S. elections, where former President Donald Trump is poised to return with promises of a more aggressive stance toward Beijing.

Xi began the dialogue with what appeared to be a pointed message directed not only at Biden but also at Trump. “Make the wise choice,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of finding ways for the two powerful nations to coexist peacefully. The backdrop of his remarks highlighted the increasing unpredictability surrounding U.S.-China relations, particularly following the impending election.

Biden responded by defending the need for strategic dialogue with China, arguing that such conversations are vital to prevent misunderstandings that could escalate into open conflict. In a clear attempt to highlight the importance of engagement over confrontation, he stated, “These conversations prevent miscalculations, and they ensure the competition between our two countries will not veer into conflict — be competition, not conflict.