President Biden was awkwardly placed in the back corner of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) family photo, standing behind prominent world leaders such as Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Peruvian president Dina Boluarte. The conference, hosted in Lima this year, saw Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the front row beside Xi. Despite his placement, Biden appeared to be in good spirits, seen smiling and laughing with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during the photo session. Throughout the weekend, Biden held closed-door meetings with various leaders, including Boluarte and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The positioning of Biden in the back corner of the APEC family photo was a departure from where American leaders typically stand. In the previous year’s conference, Biden had been in the center of the photo, hosted in San Francisco, with Trudeau and Xi on his right. This contrast highlights the transition of power as Biden is set to leave office in January. The previous administration, led by former President Trump, had seen Trump standing towards the front-center of the APEC family photo in 2017, alongside Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The APEC conference took place nearly two weeks after the 2024 presidential election, where Vice President Harris lost to Trump in a surprising upset victory. Biden, in his final days in office, met with Trump to discuss the transition process. During the meeting, Biden expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for the incoming administration, stating that they would do everything needed to accommodate Trump’s needs. Trump, in turn, thanked Biden for the smooth transition process, assuring that it would be as smooth as possible. The meeting between the two leaders marked a significant moment in the transition of power.
The interactions and dynamics among world leaders at the APEC conference reflect the shifting landscape of global politics and leadership. The presence of Xi Jinping at the center of the family photo, alongside other influential leaders, underscores China’s growing influence on the world stage. Biden’s positioning in the back corner serves as a symbolic representation of the changing of the guard as he prepares to step down from office. The conference provided a platform for discussions and meetings between leaders from different countries, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in addressing global challenges.
As the APEC conference concluded, the focus shifted towards the transition of power and the incoming administration under Trump. The meeting between Biden and Trump signaled a commitment to a smooth transfer of authority, despite the political differences between the two leaders. The discussions and interactions at the conference highlighted the complexities of international relations and the need for diplomacy in addressing global issues. The challenges and opportunities facing the incoming administration were underscored by the interactions and dynamics observed at the APEC conference, setting the stage for future collaborations and engagements on the world stage.
