Biden, Xi speak for first time in months
SemaforApr 02
Biden and Xi Hold First Conversation in Months
The Facts
US Pres. Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, held on Tuesday a nearly two-hour "candid and constructive" phone conversation in which contentious and cooperative issues were addressed.
This was the first time that the two leaders spoke with each other since they exchanged congratulations on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Washington on Jan. 1.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Pres. Biden made good use of his conversation with Xi as he raised several concerns over worrying international developments and defended the US. His administration is currently doing all it can to ensure peaceful and stable relations with Beijing — and even push for limited cooperation — as competition between the two powers increases.
Republican narrative
Another interaction with Xi, another show of weakness. Joe Biden has essentially done the same thing over and over again during his tenure, raising concerns to Beijing over a plethora of issues but not taking any step — either words or actions — to force China to halt its provocations.
Pro-China narrative
While this phone call is certainly a reassurance that tensions remain managed, the US continues to say one thing while doing another. There is handsome potential for both nations to thrive in the same global order but this will only occur if America focuses on actions rather than words, and respects its commitments to measures such as the One-China policy.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance of a US-China war before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.