US President Donald Trump has said he expects to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19. The possible Trump Xi Putin APEC summitwould be a rare three-way meeting between the leaders of the United States, China, and Russia.
What Trump expects
Trump told reporters that one of his meetings in Shenzhen would likely include both Xi and Putin. He said the leaders could discuss denuclearization and efforts to end the war involving Iran.
The US president has previously expressed interest in trilateral arms-control talks with China and Russia. However, China has said that it is not ready to join nuclear disarmament negotiations on equal terms with the United States and Russia because its nuclear arsenal is smaller.
China’s cautious response
China has confirmed that it is communicating with the relevant parties about a possible meeting between the three heads of state. But Beijing has not announced a final decision, agenda, or formal format for the gathering.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the country was in communication with the parties involved, leaving open the possibility of a meeting without confirming one. This cautious wording suggests Beijing wants flexibility before committing to a high-profile trilateral summit.
What could be discussed
The possible agenda includes several major global issues:
- Denuclearization and arms control: Trump has said nuclear weapons would be a central topic.
- The Iran conflict: Trump said he wants to discuss ending the war in Iran.
- Ukraine: Russia has reportedly proposed using a trilateral meeting to discuss ending its war in Ukraine, although Ukraine is not expected to take part.
- US-China relations: Trump and Xi are also expected to hold a separate bilateral meeting during the summit.
Why the meeting matters
A meeting between Trump, Xi, and Putin would be symbolically important because it would bring together leaders of three major nuclear powers. It could signal that the countries are willing to keep communication open even while they disagree deeply on trade, security, Ukraine, and technology.
However, experts do not expect a major breakthrough. The three governments have different priorities: Russia wants attention on Ukraine, the United States is focused on Iran and nuclear issues, and China wants to protect its relationships with all sides while avoiding a formal anti-Western alliance.
A meeting, not a deal
The most likely result may be a carefully managed meeting or photograph rather than a binding agreement. China appears to prefer a controlled, low-profile exchange, while Russia is the most enthusiastic supporter of a trilateral format.
Even so, the possible Trump Xi Putin APEC summit matters because it could create a rare diplomatic channel at a time of global tension. Any progress on Iran, Ukraine, or nuclear arms control would require more than a meeting; it would need detailed negotiations, mutual trust, and agreement from the countries most directly affected.
