But Biden has not actually spoken to Xi since taking office in January, saying: ‘We have not yet had the opportunity to speak to him. There’s no reason not to call him. ”
Biden’s policy on US-China relations has been tested since the Democrat took office last month – from the lifting of tariffs and sanctions imposed by Trump to the aftermath of the military coup in Myanmar. And how the government moves forward in the first few months is likely to set expectations for the U.S. going forward.
In his back pocket, he also has his long-standing relationship with Xi. During his vice presidency, Biden noted that he spent more time with Xi than most world leaders.
“I had 24, 25 hours of private meetings with him when I was vice president,” Biden said. ‘Traveled 17,000 miles with him. I know him pretty well. ”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) said on ‘Face the Nation’ that China will be one of the biggest international challenges Biden faces.
“He’s going to have three issues here: what else with Iran other than Trump, what should I do with China other than Trump and how to change Trump’s immigration policy without creating a run on the border,” Graham said. “I will warn President Biden that Trump did this does not mean it is wrong.”