Xi, Trump and Putin Set for Historic Trilateral Meeting in China Next Week

BEIJING/WASHINGTON, Nov 14: Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to participate in an unprecedented trilateral meeting next week in China’s southern city of Shenzhen, according to the White House. The proposed gathering is likely to bring together the leaders of three major global powers to discuss pressing international security and geopolitical challenges.

The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled for November 18 and 19. China is hosting the summit, which will bring together representatives from all 21 member economies of the regional grouping.

The proposed discussions are likely to cover several significant international issues, including ongoing conflicts, nuclear disarmament, artificial intelligence and global security. Particular attention is expected to be given to reducing nuclear weapons, especially following the expiration of the New START treaty between Washington and Moscow in February.

The New START agreement was the last major bilateral nuclear arms control arrangement between the United States and Russia. It established legally binding restrictions on the strategic nuclear arsenals of both countries. Its expiration has removed the final framework imposing formal limits on the nuclear capabilities of the world’s two largest nuclear powers.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Trump intended to address the importance of reducing nuclear weapons during the proposed discussions.

“The president has made it clear that, among other topics, he will discuss the reduction of nuclear weapons in the world, whose proliferation President Trump believes is very dangerous,” Wales was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Artificial intelligence and its potential military applications could also feature prominently in the discussions. A report by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post suggested that the three countries might explore possible commitments concerning the regulation of AI technologies used in nuclear weapons systems.

The issue is gaining importance as governments increasingly examine the security implications of advanced technologies, particularly their potential role in military decision-making and strategic defence systems.

Preparations for the proposed trilateral engagement have reportedly involved several weeks of discussions between the participating countries to settle the agenda and diplomatic arrangements.

The situation involving Iran could emerge as another important subject. China maintains extensive economic relations with Tehran and is the country’s largest trading partner as well as its biggest purchaser of crude oil. This gives Beijing considerable economic interests in developments surrounding Iran and the wider regional conflict.

However, the Ukraine war is not expected to feature in the proposed three-way discussions. A senior US official indicated that Washington intended to continue handling the conflict through a separate diplomatic channel with Moscow.

China has maintained strong economic relations with Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale military offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. Trade between the two countries has continued to expand despite Western sanctions imposed on Russia.

Beijing has consequently become an increasingly important economic partner for Moscow, helping sustain commercial ties as Russia faces restrictions on access to Western markets.

Meanwhile, the White House has clarified that Trump does not have a separate bilateral meeting scheduled with Putin during the visit. Washington has also indicated that there are no plans for diplomatic engagement with North Korea as part of the trip.

Trump is expected to reach Shenzhen late Wednesday ahead of the APEC summit. In addition to participating in the regional gathering, he will hold bilateral discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

The upcoming engagement will mark another significant interaction between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House in 2025. According to the BBC, it will be their fourth meeting during his current presidency and their third encounter this year.

The two presidents previously held extensive discussions in Beijing in May. Xi subsequently travelled to Washington in September for a state visit hosted by Trump.

Despite these diplomatic engagements and efforts to maintain stable relations, several major disagreements continue to affect ties between Washington and Beijing. Trade disputes, technological competition, restrictions involving advanced artificial intelligence and tensions surrounding Taiwan remain among the principal challenges.

China’s Foreign Ministry has also confirmed that communication is underway with both Washington and Moscow regarding the proposed trilateral engagement.

Speaking on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing was coordinating with the two countries ahead of next week’s discussions.

She also outlined the broader objectives of the APEC gathering, whose theme is “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together”.

Mao expressed China’s expectation that participating economies would work towards adopting the Shenzhen Declaration during the summit. She said Beijing hoped the meeting would deliver practical results in areas essential for regional and global economic development.

These priorities include international trade, connectivity, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

The APEC grouping comprises 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

India is not a member of the organisation, and no other South Asian economy currently belongs to the grouping.

The choice of Shenzhen as the host city carries considerable economic and technological significance. Situated in Guangdong province in southern China, the city shares a border with Hong Kong and has developed into one of the country’s most important manufacturing and technology centres.

Shenzhen was among China’s first designated Special Economic Zones in 1980. Since then, it has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a major destination for technological innovation, advanced manufacturing and international business.

The proposed meeting between Xi, Trump and Putin could therefore become one of the most closely watched diplomatic developments surrounding this year’s APEC summit, particularly given the growing importance of nuclear security, technological governance and relations among the world’s major powers.