US President Joe Biden found himself in an unusual position during the APEC summit this weekend, standing in the back corner of the family photo while other world leaders took center stage. The photo, taken in Lima, Peru, prominently featured Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, who played host to the event.
In the front row next to Xi were Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. While the photo was being snapped, Biden was seen smiling and chatting with leaders from Malaysia and Thailand, indicating a spirit of camaraderie despite his less prominent position.
Biden’s placement in the photo highlights a significant shift from past APEC gatherings. Last year, he stood at the center during the summit in San Francisco, flanked by Trudeau and Xi. In contrast, previous U.S. presidents typically enjoyed a more prominent spot, such as former President Trump, who stood front and center with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in 2017.
The summit also came shortly after the recent presidential election, in which Vice President Kamala Harris faced a surprising defeat to Trump. Biden met with Trump this week to discuss a smooth transition as he prepares to leave office in January.
While the photograph sparked conversations about Biden’s position, it’s a reminder of the dynamic nature of international relations and the changing leadership landscape.
