What to know about today's APEC summit
- President Joe Biden today attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, where he delivered remarks this afternoon and this evening. He capped the day off by attending a dinner with the heads of the delegations.
- Biden joined the summit after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday, breaking a yearlong silence marked by rising tensions between the two countries. Asked at a solo news conference after the meeting whether he saw Xi as a dictator, Biden said he did, prompting criticism from China's Foreign Affairs Ministry.
- Biden and Xi discussed a plan to cut down the flow of fentanyl precursors into the U.S., and China agreed to reopen military communication lines.
- Taiwan remains a critical sticking point. While Biden asked that Beijing respect the self-ruling democracy's electoral process ahead of its coming presidential election, Chinese officials said the U.S. should support "China's peaceful reunification" with the island, which it claims as its own.
Biden and the first lady host APEC dinner
Biden and the first lady will host delegation heads for an APEC dinner, capping off a day of meetings and speeches.
The dinner is taking place at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco, according to the White House schedule.
Biden to meet with Mexico's president tomorrow
On the last day on his California trip, Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Biden also plans to host the APEC Leaders Retreat, where he will hand over the chair position to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, according to the White House schedule.
Biden will leave San Francisco tomorrow. He plans to spend the weekend in Wilmington, Delaware, according to the White House.
Biden and Japan's Kishida condemn Hamas
Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida condemned Hamas during their meeting in San Francisco today, according to a White House readout.
“The two leaders condemned Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism, reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians,” the White House said.
Biden and Kishida also discussed a variety of additional international issues, including the war in Ukraine and coordination on China, and “agreed to accelerate trilateral cooperation, according to the readout.
Biden hosted the leaders of Japan and South Korea at Camp David, Maryland, over the summer.
Darren Criss to perform at APEC dinner
Singer-songwriter Darren Criss is set to perform for the dinner attendees.
Criss recently performed in London and Paris and will follow tonight's performance with a string of stops across the U.S. in the lead-up to the holidays.
Biden arrives at APEC dinner
Biden's motorcade arrived at the APEC dinner, according to a pool report.
The dinner is taking place at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco.
First lady to host APEC spouse program tomorrow
First lady Jill Biden will host a program for the spouses of APEC leaders tomorrow morning, according to the official schedule released by the White House.
During the program, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy will facilitate a conversation about mental health and the first lady will deliver remarks, according to the schedule.
Biden highlights his 'challenge' for APEC countries
In a post to X, Biden said his "challenge" for APEC members "is to measure success not by the bottom lines on our balance sheet — but by the lives we lift up and the potential we unleash."
"Let’s build a global economy where everyone has a chance to succeed and workers get a share of the value they create," he continued.
The post was accompanied by a photo of the president at the APEC summit.
Biden takes photo with leaders of South Korea and Japan
Biden took a photo with the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
Biden hosted the two leaders at Camp David, Maryland, in August when they unveiled commitments on annual trilateral meetings and said they intend to hold annual military exercises, as well as share missile warning data about North Korea.
Biden delivers remarks after a day of meetings
Biden delivered remarks alongside two rows of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework leaders.
He said the leaders signed a supply chain agreement to identify bottlenecks before issues occur, such as during the height of the Covid pandemic. He also said they concluded agreements to accelerate clean energy transitions, as well as an agreement to combat corruption.
Biden went on to say the U.S. is launching an "investment accelerator" to bring in private capital for investments in clean energy and technology.
"Government investment is not enough," he said. "We need to mobilize private investment."
In a statement by the leaders of the IPEF countries, the heads of state also touted the launch of a critical minerals dialogue "to foster closer collaboration on strengthening IPEF critical mineral supply chains and boosting regional economic competitiveness."
"Through our ongoing engagement and cooperation, IPEF will enhance our ability to promote workers’ rights, protect the environment, and create decent work and inclusive, sustainable economic opportunities in a future of peace, stability, development, and prosperity for all our people," the statement concluded.
Blinken says outcome of Biden-Xi talks will 'make a real difference'
In an interview with "NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt," Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the progress made at yesterday's Biden-Xi meeting.
Blinken specifically pointed to the resumption of military-to-military talks and counternarcotics initiatives.
"That's going to make a real difference in the lives of virtually every American community," he said.