The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru positioned President Joe Biden in a symbolic setback as he found himself relegated to the back row of the annual family photo, while Chinese President Xi Jinping was prominently placed in the front.
The moment, captured in photos, was a reflection of dwindling influence as Biden's term as president nears its conclusion amid the aggressive geopolitical maneuverings of global leaders, as the New York Post reports.
Positioning for the APEC family photo stirred attention with Biden situated between leaders from Thailand and Vietnam in the back row. In contrast, Xi stood next to Peru's President Dina Boluarte, emphasizing his significant global role. While photos are generally arranged alphabetically by country, deviations were evident this year, drawing comparisons to past summits where positioning nuances also occurred.
Protocol considerations were notable with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso apparently out of alphabetical order. Leaders donned traditional brown scarves, echoing attire choices from previous summits, notably the 2016 APEC event in Peru with llama wool shawls.
Furthering the diplomatic dimensions, President Biden met with Xi Jinping at Xi’s hotel. The dialogue marked their concluding encounter during Biden’s presidency. Xi emphasized China's commitment to maintaining a "stable, healthy and sustainable" bilateral relationship and prepared to cooperate with the incoming U.S. administration.
This meeting built upon previous discussions with Xi, who had agreed to curb fentanyl exports linked to overdose crises in the United States. The U.S. team, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, was present to underscore efforts in responsibly managing U.S.-China relations.
Criticism from Republican quarters wasn't delayed, as Biden's placement in the photo and lighter reception in Peru compared to Xi’s elicited remarks of a diminished global stature. Lawmakers expressed concerns over America's perceived weakening influence under Biden’s administration.
Statements from GOP representatives underscored this sentiment, as Rep. Claudia Tenney mentioned the stark disparities in treatment and questioned whether President-elect Donald Trump would have been positioned differently. Meanwhile, Rep. Jeff Van Drew suggested, “A picture is worth a thousand words."
The White House addressed concerns through a National Security Council spokesperson, who assured that Biden’s placement followed prior APEC photo protocols. Comparisons were drawn with arrangements in 2008 and 2016 to highlight consistency. The administration did acknowledge errors leading to deviations in the lineup.
The event underscored not just symbolic gestures of global diplomacy but also deep political undercurrents. Biden’s travel itinerary post-summit was aimed at maintaining diplomatic engagement as he headed to Brazil.
Accompanied by his daughter Ashley and granddaughter Natalie, the trip represented team Biden's sustained focus on international relations as the administration gears up for broader changes. His next stop involved an aerial tour of the Amazon before the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The backdrop to the summit, and the broader perception issues it raised, came about as Donald Trump prepared to take office as the Republican president-elect. With the anticipated transitions in U.S. leadership, the symbolic gestures at APEC added a layer to the ongoing global diplomatic narratives.
The nuances of Biden’s positioning and Xi Jinping’s prominence at the summit have not only drawn immediate political attention but contributed to the increasingly complex global diplomatic landscape. The dynamics within APEC are set against broader themes of international cooperation and competition, echoing the nuanced play of global statesmanship.
