- By Kamal Kumar
- Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:50 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Biden-Xi Meeting: In a significant development, US President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday during the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco. The leaders of the 21-member forum will gather to discuss crucial matters, with one of the key highlights being an anticipated announcement.
Fentanyl Crackdown Agreement
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed to Bloomberg that both leaders are poised to reveal a major agreement aimed at addressing the manufacture and export of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. Under the yet-to-be-finalised deal, China is expected to intensify efforts against chemical companies involved in producing both fentanyl and its source materials. In exchange, the Biden administration would reportedly ease restrictions on China's forensic police institute, accused of human rights abuses.
This agreement, if confirmed, is strategically timed for announcement during the Biden-Xi meeting and could be a significant triumph for the White House. The issue of fentanyl trafficking has been a focal point of criticism from Republicans, turning it into a potential electoral concern for President Biden in the upcoming 2024 election.
Additional Agendas on the Table
Apart from the fentanyl deal, President Biden is likely to press President Xi on leveraging China's influence over North Korea. This comes amid growing concerns over North Korea's increased ballistic missile tests and reports of munitions support to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
President Biden may also address China's role in managing the Israel-Hamas conflict by urging Beijing to use its influence over Iran. With China being a major buyer of Iranian oil, the Biden administration believes that China holds considerable sway over Iran, a significant supporter of Hamas.
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As the leaders prepare for their high-stakes meeting, the outcomes and implications of these discussions will undoubtedly shape the geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. Stay tuned for updates as the APEC summit unfolds.