The Drug Summit's Dilemma: Superpowers Face Off Over Narcotics
The cool California breeze greeted the leaders of the world's heavyweights...
In a significant milestone, following years of military and political tensions, leaders Joe Biden (80) and Xi Jinping (70) convened for their long-awaited summit meetings at the resplendent Filoli Estate, near San Francisco (California). The list of critical issues on the agenda was demanding, including the war in the Middle East, Ukraine, Taiwan, artificial intelligence (AI), and, surprisingly, drug trafficking.
As global media outlets captured the image of the two delegations sitting oppositely at a long conference table, a discernible tone of optimism emerged. The Chinese Paramount Leader soft-spoke, "The world is vast enough for the growth of both nations." Biden, in turn, hoped for an "open dialog" during Xi's first US visit in six years.
Tense Talks on Crucial Global Issues
Shut away from prying eyes, beneath the cloak of diplomatic pleasantries, lay a gripping tug-of-war over the world's most pressing problems. Topics such as AI, war controversies, China's belligerent actions against Taiwan, global drug trafficking, and the economic duel between the power nations were tabled.
Recently, bilateral relations reached a standstill. In February, Biden ordered the downing of a Chinese spy balloon, a move that infuriated the Beijing leaders. Biden openly branded Xi as a "dictator," further exacerbating the situation. Xi's ire was also sparked by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (83) who visited Taiwan, causing outrage in Beijing.
Beijing chose to side with Kremlin despot Vladimir Putin (71) in the Ukraine war and pushed for a global alliance against Western democracies. However, internally, the Chinese economy is limping due to an aftermath of Covid and a financial crisis. With the struggling economy, it is widely believed that Xi Jinping is now pursuing better relations with the U.S. in particular. In reference to these challenges, Biden stated, "An enhanced American leadership in the world can only result in problems for other nations."
Sticking Points in the Summit Discussions
Several contentious issues arose during the lengthy negotiations:
► Biden requested Xi to halt the export of compounds essential for producing the opioid fentanyl. China exports the necessary components to Mexico, where the drug is manufactured and trafficked into the US. In 2022, drug-related deaths in the US totaled 109,000. Biden sought to exploit this opportunity for political gain, but Beijing had made similar commitments before.
► The meeting also focused on discussions regarding how artificial intelligence can be safeguarded from being integrated into potential military systems, particularly those controlling nuclear weapons.
► Important: reestablishing communications channels between the world's two largest armies is necessary to reduce the danger of misunderstandings. Due to the Taiwan dispute, the Chinese People's Army had severed all contact with the Pentagon. These lines of communication are now to be reassembled.
Biden and Xi came together during the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Community) summit with 21 nations. The city center of San Francisco saw the removal of homeless individuals, hosting this year's event. The security situation remained tense: The summit was met with boycotts and protests against the Chinese regime. The cocooned Xi was unlikely to have noticed the upheaval.
As the leaders of the world's powerhouses strove towards a resolution, they continued to confront the challenges of crime, conflict, and illicit relationships.
