Biden Ahead of Meeting Xi Jinping: "Senate Victory, Going to Talks Stronger"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Ahead of the US-China summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden expressed optimism about the Democratic Party retaining control of the Senate in the midterm elections, saying, "I feel good and look forward to the next two years." This news, delivered during his overseas trip, is analyzed to have strengthened President Biden's standing on the international stage.

On the 13th (local time), President Biden met with reporters at a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, saying, "All candidates campaigned based on what we have done." When asked if he felt stronger going into the meeting with President Xi on the 14th after the Senate election victory, he said, "I know I am going in stronger." However, he added, "I don't need that," and "I have spent more time with President Xi than any other world leader. I know President Xi."

With the Democrats retaining the Senate in an election where a Republican landslide was expected, President Biden's policies during his overseas trip appear to be gaining momentum. His remarks on this day are also analyzed as reflecting this point. The Senate plays a key role in foreign policy, including ambassadorial confirmations and treaty ratifications. This not only strengthens the foreign policy pledges announced during the trip but also inevitably changes the diplomatic stature.

While staying in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS), President Biden received congratulations from various world leaders on his 'election victory' during bilateral and multilateral meetings. Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, said during a briefing on the plane en route to Bali for the Indonesia G20 summit, "When news came out that the Democrats are likely to continue controlling the Senate, various leaders made comments in the meeting," adding, "As clearly shown today, President Biden feels that the election results create a strong position on the international stage."

If President Xi secures a third term and consolidates his power base while President Biden had lost the midterm elections, it is interpreted that not only would the atmosphere for Biden's re-election bid become difficult, but the tone of the US-China summit would also have been unfavorable to the US side.

President Biden and President Xi will hold their first face-to-face meeting on the 14th on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Immediate key issues include bilateral trade and economic matters, the Taiwan issue, the Ukraine war, and North Korea's nuclear program.

This will be President Biden's first direct meeting with President Xi. In particular, this summit draws attention as it marks the full resumption of dialogue between the two countries, which had effectively ceased following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in early August. Although no separate joint statement is expected, it is anticipated that the face-to-face meeting will help identify a kind of 'red line' on major issues.