Trump, Xi And Putin May Hold Historic Trilateral Meeting In China This Month

Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may hold a historic trilateral meeting in China this month, with Beijing confirming that discussions are underway. The proposed meeting could take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Shenzhen, although no final decision has been announced.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the discussions at a press briefing in Beijing, saying China was “in communication with relevant parties regarding a meeting between the three heads of state”.

If it goes ahead, the gathering would bring together the leaders of three major global powers amid growing geopolitical tensions. However, experts believe conflicting interests could limit the possibility of substantive agreements.

“I think it will happen. The question is the format and the content,” said Sun Yun, director of the China programme at the Stimson Centre. She added that Beijing wanted the diplomatic image without taking on the associated costs.

China is hosting this year's APEC summit, which brings together 21 economies, including the US and Russia.

Trump is expected to meet Xi in Shenzhen for the third time this year, with both countries attempting to maintain a fragile trade truce set to expire in January. Ahead of the proposed meeting, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video call with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, urging Beijing to fulfil commitments involving agricultural purchases, rare earths and other critical minerals.

China's state news agency Xinhua described the discussions as constructive but said Beijing had also raised concerns over Washington's restrictive trade measures.

Putin could gain the most diplomatically from the proposed gathering, gaining an opportunity to appear alongside the US and Chinese presidents despite Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Former US diplomat Danny Russel said such a meeting would amount to a diplomatic coup for Moscow.