President Trump is planning to sit down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the same time, the White House confirmed Friday, Nov. 13. The meeting is planned for Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China's tech hub.
If it happens, it would be the first three-way meeting among the three leaders. NBC News called it an unprecedented gathering of the heads of the world's biggest nuclear powers. The Hill described it as the first-ever trilateral meeting among the three men.
The administration is not promising much. The Hill reported that a senior U.S. official said no agreement is expected to come of the meeting.
A First Conversation, Not a Deal
The official, who was not named, described the goal in modest terms.
"I would characterize this as the entry point, the first conversation, certainly at the leader level, between these countries."
The same official added that the hope is for "a conversation that can be productive going forward," The Hill reported.
Trump had hinted at the idea earlier this month, The Hill reported. In a separate interview with ABC News, Trump said he "would do" such a meeting and that he wants to talk about denuclearization. ABC's account does not make clear when he said it.
Iran In, Ukraine Out
According to NBC New York, which cited a senior U.S. official, Trump plans to discuss the Iran war with both leaders. Ukraine is not on the agenda, according to NBC New York and The Hill, which cited a senior U.S. official. Russia's war there is nearly five years old, NBC New York noted.
No bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin is scheduled, according to NBC and to Business Today, which cited the White House. NBC, citing a senior U.S. official, also reported no plans for Trump to engage North Korea on this trip.
Much of that detail comes from unnamed officials rather than a formal White House statement. No written White House statement was available.
Familiar Faces, New Arrangement
NBC New York reported that Trump and Putin have met face to face seven times, most recently in Alaska in August 2025. NBC reported that Xi and Putin have met more than 40 times since Xi became president in 2013.
The count for Trump and Xi is less clear. NBC New York put the number of their face-to-face talks at eight, including Xi's state visit to Washington in September. ABC described the Shenzhen stop as Trump's second trip to China this year and his third meeting with Xi. The two outlets may be counting different things.
Beijing's position is also unsettled. No public comment from the Chinese government on the three-way meeting has been confirmed. NBC described Beijing as the party least certain about the summit's value. No Kremlin statement on the meeting was found, so Moscow's position is unconfirmed.
The Itinerary
ABC reported that Trump will first attend an ASEAN summit in Manila before the China leg. On Thursday afternoon, he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting and working lunch with Xi. The three-way session is the final event of his Asia trip.
None of the sources reviewed gives a calendar date. Thursday would most likely be Nov. 19, but that is an inference and has not been officially stated.
What comes next depends on Beijing and Moscow. Until China and Russia say publicly how they see the meeting, the details remain those offered by U.S. officials. Whether anything follows will be clearer once the three leaders leave Shenzhen.
3 Months of Food for One Person: 846 Servings, Up to a 25-Year Shelf Life
Stuck on the Road This Winter? This Car Kit Packs Food, Water and 47 Emergency Items
Emergency Food That Stores Up to 25 Years: Ready Hour Kits From 3 Days to 6 Months
The Fire Starter That Lights on Snow, Damp Ground, Even Standing Water
No Gas, No Fumes: Solar Generators That Keep the Lights On in an Outage
America's Power Grid Is on Borrowed Time. This Solar Generator Comes With EMP Protection
0 Comments
Be the first to comment.