What is Biden doing at G20?
G20 stands for “Group of 20” and is a forum for 19 countries and the European Union to meet and discuss international trade, economics, climate change, and future development.
That’s what it is advertised as at least.
In reality, G20 is a photo op for world leaders to come, reassure their adversaries of their “good intentions,” and make some broad statements on ‘this event’ or ‘that persons decision.’ The headlines almost always focus on some sensationalized facet of it, but never the real diplomacy that occurs there (i.e. Lavrov).
In fact, that is exactly what we have gotten so far at this G20, specifically if you look at China’s Xi and the remarks he made regarding relations with the United States.
A quick take.
Stating he wants to get relations “back on track” with the US, Xi’s rhetoric is counter to China’s development in the past years: Concentration camps, mass surveillance, mishandling of COVID, economic and military aid to Russia, cyberwarfare, intellectual property theft, antics in the South China Sea, an arms build up, espionage, and worst of all — the promise to take Taiwan by force.
All these things are actions by the Chinese Communist Party, and all are counter to the American mission abroad — and certainly a mutual partnership. This is where the rhetoric shared at G20 is smokescreen; two world leaders make a public display of unity, but behind closed doors they are preparing for war with one another.
“Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation” with Washington, as Xi stated at G20, is simply not a reality with their current trajectory.
Xi joined G20 this year after three years of being absent from these major world events. He does this at a significant time, as the CCP’s 20th party Congress was this past October. At that Congress, Xi reaffirmed some of China’s goals, and they looked a lot like what I mentioned above. Specifically, the seizure of Taiwan and actions that ultimately unseat the US as the leader of the current International Order — a point Xi also stated was untrue even though he stated the Taiwan question is the “first red line that must not be crossed,” for example.
And so, it is this emboldened Xi, back on the world stage ready to make new, enriching partnerships that has Biden looking like a fool.
Biden’s response has been somewhat lackluster, as he echoed the same message as Xi; the hope for peaceful relations that are mutually beneficial. The only statement that could be taken as proactive against the long-term Chinese threat is that Biden wishes for “guardrails” in working with the CCP down the line.
So other than keeping face, what exactly is Biden’s agenda for G20? It is hard to tell. What is obvious to observers though is that when comparing Xi — who has been strong, unified, and consistent for years — and Biden, that the US is still confused as to how to deal with the rising threat in China.
Continue to watch the news for updates to G20, and pay close attention to what China and the US have to say. All the focus right now is on Putin’s absence and Lavrov’s alleged hospitalization in Bali.
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