Biden Labels Xi Jinping a 'Dictator,' Draws Bipartisan Praise

How did President Joe Biden handle his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco this week? On one issue, Biden received praise from voices across the political spectrum.

For Context: Speaking with reporters following his meeting with Xi, Biden affirmed that China and the United States can coexist and collaborate, but he reiterated his past assessment that the Chinese president is a “dictator.”

“Refuse to Pretend”: A Wall Street Journal Opinion (Lean Right bias) writer commended Biden for labeling Xi a dictator. The writer stated, “One beautiful gift that American presidents can give to the world is to refuse to pretend that tyrants are the legitimate representatives of the people they rule.” Giving Biden credit for “refusing to pretend when it comes to the chief oppressor of the Chinese people, Xi Jinping,” the writer adds, “Now let’s hope that his staff doesn’t try to contradict him.”

“Gracious but Tough”: David Rothkoph (Lean Left bias) echoed praise for Biden’s characterization of Xi, writing, “He is not intimidated by Xi or by China. He will call things as he sees them.” Rothkoph determined Biden was “gracious but tough, candid but thoughtful, and unlike his predecessor, did not sell out the country to a dictator.” Compared to former President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy, deemed by Rothkoph to be “ignorant, adrift, mercurial, narcissistic, at the mercy of the conflicting agendas of his team and of his family businesses,” Biden demonstrated a “substantive mastery and diplomatic deftness.”