"There's a lot going on, and I think that both sides are looking for a little bit of 2stabilization in the relationship." 

Biden said one goal for the meeting is to improve things. 

"We have to ensure that competition does not 3veer into conflict." 

For the leaders of the world's two largest economies, trade is a top issue. In the first nine months of 2023, Mexico and Canada 4eclipsed China as America's top trading partners. The Biden administration 5framing it as a way to minimize risk from exposure to increased 6geopolitical 7uncertainty without an 8all-out 9decoupling of the two economic 10superpowers. 

"The trade relationship is 11enormously important to both countries. That doesn't mean that there aren't very real concerns about the behavior of the other country." 

Lily McElwee is an expert in Chinese foreign policy at the center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. She says an agreement to 12crack down on the 13export of chemicals used to make fentanyl, expected to be finalized at the summit, could be important for Biden here at home. 

"This is an important issue that 14galvanizes 15Republicans and 16Democrats, and I think it could be a big win if he's able to secure some agreements from Beijing." 

Beijing has also been critical of the Biden administration's limits on the types of 17semiconductors U. S. companies can sell to China, the world's large as chip market. The Biden administration says it's a move to protect U. S. national security. Beijing has 18accused Washington of weaponizing trade and tech issues.