By Salma El-Sakka
China has confirmed it is discussing a historic meeting between President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump, potentially taking place this month in the southern city of Shenzhen on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
Historic Trilateral Meeting Discussed
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing this week that Beijing was “in communication with relevant parties regarding a meeting between the three heads of state.” The gathering would be the first of its kind, though experts argue the leaders’ conflicting interests make substantive discussions unlikely.
Experts Skeptical of Substantive Outcomes
Sun Yun, director of the Stimson Center’s China program, said China wants the image of a three-power summit but not the costs. “I think it will happen. The question is the format and the content,” she said. Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies called it a photo opportunity that would allow Putin to appear alongside American and Chinese leaders, but warned such spectacles have diminishing diplomatic returns.
Trade Tensions Persist Ahead of Summit
Trump is expected to travel to Shenzhen for his third meeting with Xi this year, aiming to maintain a fragile trade truce set to expire in January. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urged China on Friday to take concrete actions on agricultural purchases, rare earths, and critical minerals, while Beijing expressed concerns over Washington’s restrictive trade measures.
Divergent Agendas on Ukraine and Arms Control
Trump has previously expressed interest in nuclear arms control talks with Xi and Putin, but Putin remains focused on the Ukraine war without Kyiv at the table. Former U.S. official Danny Russel said Putin has the most to gain from a trilateral meeting, while Russia would likely push China and the U.S. toward Moscow’s positions on Ukraine. Sun Yun said China would not engage in arms control or discussions on Ukraine or Iran beyond calling for peace.
Photo Opportunity with Diminishing Returns
The summit “should not be equated to three great powers dividing up the world,” Sun said. Singleton added that while the meeting may be historic, it is unlikely to produce anything particularly consequential.
