Joe Biden's final South America tour marked by press tensions

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) — US President Joe Biden arrived in Lima, Peru, on Thursday evening for his last official tour in South America, which includes participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20 summits.

Biden, accompanied by his daughter Ashley and granddaughter Natalie, has a packed agenda that includes key talks with other world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

However, his decision to skip scheduled press engagements has caused frustration among journalists traveling with him, as reported by the New York Post. According to the daily, reporters aboard Air Force One have expressed their dissatisfaction, questioning White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about the lack of news conferences in Biden’s schedule.

"Biden wants to engage with leaders. He is not choosing to engage with the press. There is no press conference on either leg of this trip," the newspaper quoted one journalist as saying, pointing to Biden’s public silence while President-elect Donald Trump’s transition has dominated coverage.

Another reporter asked whether Biden’s avoidance suggested reluctance to address the public in his final months in office.

"He is going to continue to engage with the press ... Stay tuned. He will continue to do that, and I just don’t have anything beyond that," Jean-Pierre responded.

Biden’s communication approach has been a focal point throughout his presidency, drawing criticism for policies limiting media access, such as by prescreening press events and holding infrequent question and answer sessions, according to the New York Post.

"Typically presidents do engage with the press," said one reporter, underscoring the sense of disconnection felt by those covering Biden’s final international engagements.

Throughout the tour, Biden will take part in discussions at the APEC summit, including a meeting with Xi on Saturday. This will be the last meeting between the two leaders before Biden's term ends in January, with the agenda expected to include developments related to the fentanyl crisis in the US.

The pair had previously met at the 2022 G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, and again in California last year during the previous APEC summit.

Next, Biden will head to Brazil, where the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro will provide a symbolic conclusion to his presidency.

This South America tour coincides with Biden’s preparations to leave office on Jan. 20, with fewer than 60 journalists accredited for the trip.

- Biden, Xi arrive in Peru for final meeting amid diplomatic uncertainty

With growing diplomatic uncertainty following Trump’s election victory, Biden and Xi will meet for talks that are expected to focus on trade tensions and geopolitical challenges.

"This will be the third in-person meeting between the two leaders since President Biden came into office, and their final meeting as president," Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a briefing on Wednesday.

"And this meeting between President Biden and President Xi will be an opportunity to ensure a smooth transition and also to continue to keep those channels of communication open, including those especially critical military-to-military channels of communication open," Sullivan added.

Xi arrived in Peru ahead of Biden and was received by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte at the presidential palace.

Meanwhile, APEC ministers, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, held closed-door meetings to prepare for discussions among the 21 member economies, which together represent 60% of global GDP.

However, Trump’s protectionist "America First" agenda cast a shadow over the summit, with proposals to increase tariffs on Chinese goods and threats to Mexico regarding its failure to curb crime and drug trafficking.

Sullivan, who is traveling with Biden, underscored the administration’s commitment to regional alliances, announcing the formation of a new trilateral Indo-Pacific secretariat with Japan and South Korea to ensure the partnership "will be an enduring feature of American policy."

The summit also takes place amid protests in Latin America over rising crime and government neglect, with Peru deploying more than 13,000 security forces to maintain order.

As Trump signals a confrontational approach toward Beijing, the Biden-Xi meeting could set the stage for the future of US-China relations as both countries face mounting domestic and international pressures.