Donald Trump has made a tougher stance toward China central to his pitch on foreign policy, even as Joe Biden and Xi Jinping sought to lower tensions before the next president takes office.

President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, closed the book on their diplomatic relationship Saturday, meeting for a final time amid uncertainty over what the next Donald Trump presidency might portend for their two countries’ ties.

"China is ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences," Xi said. Biden said strategic competition between the

The two leaders had what could be their final meeting in a long relationship, but often seemed to be speaking more to the president-elect than each other.

The two leaders will meet in Peru, where China has steadily expanded its influence in a challenge to the United States in its own region.

Xi Jinping's critique of protectionism offers a preview of how China will position itself once Donald Trump takes office.

Joe Biden met Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the final time as president Saturday in Peru as the specter of Donald Trump's return to the White House took center stage at the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

Donald J. Trump has promised a more aggressive approach, after the Biden administration worked to avoid open conflict with Beijing.

After two days of meetings in Lima that rarely ventured beyond platitudes in discussing the strategies of the region’s major economies, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum wrapped up on Saturday with a spirit of detente that many fear the summit may not see again for four years.

After two days of meetings in Lima, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum was closing with a spirit of detente that many fear the annual summit may not see again for the next four years