Biden refers to U.S. ‘alliance’ with China before quickly backtracking as he holds final talks with Xi Jinping as Trump takeover looms [Video]

17:57 EST 16 Nov 2024, updated 09:47 EST 17 Nov 2024 By and GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

President Joe Biden sat down with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the last of many meetings with the leader of the economic powerhouse, with Biden accidentally referencing an ‘alliance’ with the country’s top competitor.

‘We are the most important alliance – or the most important relationship in the entire world, and how we’re getting along together can impact the rest of the world,’ Biden said, quickly correcting himself after applying the friendly term to a key supporter of Russia who has been harassing U.S. allies in the South China sea and flooding the U.S. with exports.

But he restated his long-held view of using diplomacy to avoid problems.

‘And so our two countries can not let any of this competition veer into conflict,’ Biden said, reflecting on some of the many times the two leaders had met.

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