Lame-duck Biden humiliated with back-corner spot in APEC family photo as China’s Xi gets place of honor in front row
SUMMARY
At the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, President Joe Biden was relegated to a back-row position in the annual family photo, while Chinese President Xi Jinping stood front and center beside host President Dina Boluarte. Critics noted the optics, contrasting Biden’s diminished role with former President Donald Trump’s prominent positions in past APEC gatherings. The arrangement comes as Xi is celebrated for China’s investments in Peru, including financing a major port project. Biden’s meeting with Xi was held at the Chinese leader’s accommodations, a departure from diplomatic norms, fueling Republican criticism of Biden’s perceived softness on China. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) cited alleged financial ties between Biden’s family and Chinese entities as potential influences. President-elect Trump vowed to reinstate his "America First" policies, including renewed tariffs and COVID-19 reparations from Beijing, while accusing Biden of failing to protect U.S. interests during his presidency.
