Trump Expects Meeting With Xi and Putin at China APEC Summit

The prospect of bringing President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin together emerged publicly in early November. On November 3, the Financial Times World reported that the United States, Russia and China were discussing a meeting, with Trump due to travel to Shenzhen for APEC.

The proposed gathering would take place on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on November 18 and 19, according to The Conversation. Those summit dates provide an opportunity for talks, not confirmation that the three leaders will meet.

On November 4, the South China Morning Post reported that preparations were under way for what it described as the first meeting between the three leaders. Its account still framed the gathering as conditional.

By November 6, assessments of the diplomatic stakes were more mixed than simple enthusiasm for a summit. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera said a meeting would be a coup for Moscow, while Beijing appeared lukewarm.

Trade was another issue surrounding Trump's visit. On November 6, the South China Morning Post said an extension of the United States and China trade truce was likely at Shenzhen. It traced the arrangement to Trump and Xi's October meeting in South Korea last year, when they agreed to suspend some export restrictions.

On November 7, The Hindu reported China's confirmation that discussions about a trilateral meeting were under way. It also reported that Trump was expected to meet Xi for the third time this year, with the fragile trade truce due to expire in January.

Trump then offered a more direct indication of his expectations. In remarks made on Sunday, November 8, and reported by World News in a Reuters dispatch published November 9, he said he thought he would meet Xi and Putin at APEC and discuss ending the Iran war.

The meeting remains a possibility rather than a confirmed appointment. China's acknowledgement of discussions and Trump's expectation of attending are significant steps, but neither establishes a final agreement among all three leaders. The Japan Times described the talks as likely in its November 9 report.

The possible agenda extends beyond Iran. Euronews reported that Trump mentioned both ending the Iran war and denuclearisation. NDTV Top Stories also reported that he had expressed openness in October to three-way arms control talks focused on denuclearisation. These are subjects Trump has raised, not a jointly announced agenda.

The immediate question is whether the discussions produce a confirmed meeting at the November 18 and 19 summit. A joint announcement would clarify whether all three leaders have agreed to attend and which subjects they intend to address.

Separately, watch for a decision on extending the United States and China trade truce. Its January expiry, reported by The Hindu, gives the Trump-Xi talks a concrete deadline even if the trilateral gathering does not happen.