Biden Raises Trade in Talk with Xi

President Biden raised concerns about China’s unfair trade and non-market economic practices in a phone call Tuesday with Chinese President Xi.

It was the first time the two leaders have spoken directly since last November. The telephone conversation came on the same day it was announced that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will be leaving for a visit to Beijing beginning today.

In addition to trade, President Biden raised concerns about Beijing’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security. He also emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced US technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade and investment, according to a White House readout.

The two officials also discussed progress on areas of cooperation, including counternarcotics cooperation, ongoing military-to-military communication, talks to address AI-related risks and continuing efforts on climate change and people-to-people exchanges.

The Administration continues to maintain its position that its relationship with China is focused on “de-risking, not decoupling,” a senior Administration official told reporters.

“We have not changed our approach to the PRC, which remains one focused on the framework of invest, align, and compete. Intense competition requires intense diplomacy to manage tensions, address misperceptions, and prevent unintended conflict. And this call is one way to do that,” the official said.

Secretary Yellen will be in China through April 9 for bilateral meetings and other engagements.

While in China, Secretary Yellen will “advocate for American workers and businesses to ensure they are treated fairly, including by pressing Chinese counterparts on unfair trade practices and underscoring the global economic consequences of Chinese industrial overcapacity,” according to her office.