In a significant development at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, on November 18, 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a consensus that decisions regarding nuclear weapons should be made by humans rather than artificial intelligence. This agreement underscores the growing concerns about the potential risks of AI in military applications, as emphasized by the White House [bfb04ec2].
Despite the ongoing tensions between the two nations, Xi expressed a willingness to collaborate with the incoming Trump administration on various issues, including trade and Taiwan. This openness comes as the U.S. estimates that China currently possesses around 500 nuclear warheads, a number projected to exceed 1,000 by 2030. In comparison, the U.S. and Russia have approximately 1,770 and 1,710 nuclear warheads, respectively [bfb04ec2].
The meeting also addressed critical issues such as cybercrime, Taiwan's military activities, and North Korea's connections with Russia. Biden stressed the importance of maintaining direct communication between leaders, particularly in light of the upcoming transition to Trump's presidency on January 20, 2025. The implications of Trump's return to power on U.S.-China relations and China's expanding influence in Latin America were also key topics of discussion [bfb04ec2].
Earlier in the week, on November 15, Biden met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where they condemned North Korea's military actions and established a Trilateral Secretariat to enhance cooperation among the three nations. This meeting was part of a broader effort to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region amidst concerns over North Korea's nuclear ambitions and China's regional assertiveness [7cbc1e6b].
As the political landscape shifts with Trump's impending inauguration, the dynamics of U.S.-China relations and alliances in Asia are poised for significant changes. The outcomes of these high-level discussions will likely shape the geopolitical landscape in the coming years, particularly regarding nuclear policy and regional security [bfb04ec2].