8:51 pm ET, November 15, 2023
Biden says the talks with Xi were “very productive” between the 2 leaders
From CNN’s Kevin Lipdock and Betsy Klein
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
US President Joe Biden reflected on the state of his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing it as a constructive and productive meeting.
He said the talks with Xi were “some of the most constructive and fruitful discussions we’ve had”.
“We don’t always agree,” Biden said, but his talks with Xi were always “straightforward.”
Pressed on whether he trusted Xi, Biden said, “Trust but verify as the old saying goes. That’s where I’m at,” describing the relationship between the US and China as “competitive”.
“My responsibility is to make it rational and manageable, so it’s not confrontational. That’s who I am. … To find a place where we can come together, where we can find mutual interest and, most importantly, for the benefit of the American people. That’s what we’ll do,” he said during a news conference in the Bay Area on Wednesday. .
Biden developed a deep relationship with Xi during his time as vice president that has since soured. However, he showed G as “straight”.
“I know the man, I know his way of doing things, I’ve seen his eyes – we have differences of opinion. He has a different view than me on many things, but he’s straight. I don’t mean good, great, indifferent, straight,” he said. .
Biden said leaders are willing to pick up the phone if they want to talk ahead.
During the four-hour summit, Biden says the two leaders agreed to stem the flow of fentanyl, restore military contact and work together on artificial intelligence.
Biden said China’s agreement to reduce precursor chemicals to fentanyl would “save lives” and praised Xi’s commitment to the issue.
