Trump, Xi and Putin to Hold First Trilateral Meeting at APEC Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold their first three-way summit during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Shenzhen on November 18-19, the White House confirmed. The leaders are expected to begin talks on nuclear proliferation, with a focus on the New START treaty that expired in February, although a senior administration official said no agreement is anticipated.

The agenda also includes the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel and Iran, which has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz and affected oil markets. China, which imports a third of its crude oil through the strait, has expressed interest in ending the hostilities.

Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are likely to be addressed, particularly disputes over tariffs and restrictions on rare-earth minerals used in advanced chip production. Recent allegations by the United States that China spied on Nvidia’s CEO have added to the strain, which Beijing denies.

According to a White House spokesperson, President Trump intends to discuss a new, inclusive nuclear-arms reduction framework that would involve both China and Russia. He has also indicated that the meeting could serve to showcase U.S. diplomatic influence amid the Iran conflict.

Analysts note that President Putin may view the summit as a platform to project power while avoiding direct discussion of the war in Ukraine, which a Trump administration official said the president will not raise. Russian officials have described the gathering as “extremely significant,” while a Russian parliamentarian suggested it could resemble a new Yalta-type arrangement.

Observers expect the meeting to be largely symbolic, with extensive media coverage and statements from the three leaders, but few substantive policy breakthroughs are predicted.