World Events
Beijing Confirms Talks on a Xi-Trump-Putin Meeting at the Shenzhen APEC Summit, With No Details Set
A possible three-way meeting would come alongside US-China trade friction and a trade truce that AP says expires in January.
By Emmanuel Cruz ·
China has confirmed that it is discussing a possible meeting of President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no details have been finalized, The Associated Press reported on Nov. 8 [1]. The talks would involve the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that China is hosting in Shenzhen [1].
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed the question at a regular briefing in Beijing on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Asked whether a trilateral meeting was being arranged on the APEC sidelines, she said China is "in communication with relevant parties" [2]. China's state broadcaster CGTN reported that the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is set for Nov. 18-19 in Shenzhen [2]. The briefing account did not say that a meeting has been scheduled, and it gave no further detail on Russia's or the United States' positions [2].
According to AP, Trump has said he would be interested in meeting Xi and Putin to discuss nuclear arms control, and he is expected to travel to Shenzhen to meet Xi for the third time this year [1]. That meeting would aim to maintain a trade truce between Washington and Beijing that AP said is set to expire in January [1]. AP also reported that Putin wants to focus on the war in Ukraine, without Kyiv at the table, and that Trump's advisers have reportedly warned him to avoid the topic [1].
Trade friction is running in parallel. AP reported that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urged Beijing to take "concrete actions" on earlier commitments, particularly agricultural purchases, rare earths and other critical minerals [1]. Xinhua, China's state news agency, reported that Beijing in turn raised concerns about US restrictive economic and trade measures [1]. Each side therefore enters the run-up to the summit with complaints about the other's compliance and policies.
Outside analysts quoted by AP were divided on how much a three-way photo opportunity would achieve. Sun Yun of the Stimson Center said she expects the meeting to happen, with the open questions being its format and content, and described Beijing as wanting the image of the gathering without bearing its costs [1]. Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies argued that such appearances yield diminishing diplomatic returns [1].
For markets, the practical relevance lies in the items attached to the summit rather than the meeting itself. The expiring trade truce, agricultural purchases and rare earth supplies bear on tariffs, commodity demand and supply chains for manufacturers. Any Ukraine-related discussion bears on sanctions and energy flows. Because neither the date nor the agenda has been confirmed, headlines in the coming days may shift as the participants clarify their plans.
Watch for formal confirmation from the White House and the Kremlin, any announcement of a bilateral Xi-Trump agenda, and further statements from Greer or Chinese trade officials on the commitments in dispute.
Sources:
[1] The Associated Press via Taipei Times, "China confirms plans for Xi-Trump-Putin meeting", November 8, 2026. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2026/11/08/2003867352
[2] CGTN, "China in contact with relevant parties on China-Russia-US summit", November 4, 2026. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-11-04/China-in-contact-with-relevant-parties-on-China-Russia-US-summit-1RNt8ygMj4Y/p.html
This article was produced with AI assistance. It is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. StockVolt and its authors may hold positions in securities mentioned.