| Xi used his final meeting with Joe Biden to send a clear message to Trump: China wants to be friends, but is ready for a fight if necessary. But he followed that up by reiterating China’s “four red lines,” signaling that Trump must avoid any moves to undermine the Communist Party’s power, push the nation toward democracy, contain its economic rise or encourage independence in Taiwan.  Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, on Nov. 16. Photographer: Leah Millis/AFP Germany’s Carl Benz might have invented the automobile, but it’s the United States that got us to drive them, writes David Fickling in Bloomberg Opinion. Right now, America is passing that baton to China with barely a fight. The US car industry that emerges will be smaller, less influential — and, eventually, less profitable and financially sustainable. The US is approaching a final decision to lift some restrictions on Ukraine’s use of western-made weapons to strike limited military targets in Russia, according to people familiar with the matter. The discussions have been shaped by North Korea ramping up support for President Vladimir Putin’s army and a decision would also follow an increase in Russian missile and drone attacks on its neighbor, the people said. The contest to be Trump’s Treasury secretary intensified. Scott Bessent talked to Elon Musk after the X owner voiced support for Cantor Fitzgerald’s Howard Lutnick, people familiar said. The president-elect nominated oil fracking CEO Chris Wright as the energy secretary. | 
