Donald Trump to hold trilateral summit with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Shenzhen

President Donald Trump will hold a trilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 19, 2026, in Shenzhen, China. This meeting marks the first time the leaders of the United States, China, and Russia will meet in a trilateral format. The summit will take place on the sidelines of the 33rd APEC summit, which is scheduled to occur from November 18 to November 19, 2026.

The White House has confirmed the scheduled meeting, although officials from Moscow and Beijing have not yet confirmed their agreement to the meeting. A White House official stated that the meeting is intended as a starting point for dialogue rather than for reaching an immediate agreement. This summit follows a previous meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in August 2025 in Alaska, which focused on the war in Ukraine.

Nuclear arms control and regional security

The summit is expected to focus on developing an ambitious nuclear arms control pact. President Donald Trump stated that the meeting will cover many topics, including nuclear disarmament. Beyond nuclear issues, potential discussion topics include the war in Iran and the situation in North Korea. While White House officials suggest it is unlikely that the war in Ukraine will be discussed because China is not part of that process, other reports suggest the conflict remains a potential topic for the leaders.

The meeting comes at a time of heightened international tension. These tensions follow the resignation of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang due to alleged links to a Chinese spy, according to reports from Focus News Agency and SEGA. The geopolitical landscape remains complex as the three leaders prepare to convene in Shenzhen for these high-level discussions.

Diplomatic delegations and travel details

President Donald Trump will travel to China accompanied by Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. The diplomatic mission involves significant international interest as the leaders attempt to establish a foundation for future communication. While the White House has confirmed the event, the lack of confirmation from the Chinese and Russian governments remains a notable detail in the lead-up to the 33rd APEC summit.

The scheduled discussions in Shenzhen represent a significant attempt at trilateral diplomacy. The focus on nuclear arms control highlights the priority of the three nations to address global security concerns. As the November 19, 2026, date approaches, the international community remains focused on whether this meeting will successfully serve as a starting point for meaningful dialogue between the United States, China, and Russia.

Glossary

• Shenzhen — Shenzhen is a location in China. It is the site where the Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) is held annually.
• Alaska — Alaska is one of the fourteen states that specifically permits minors to drink alcohol given to them by their parents or by someone entrusted by their parents.
• Ukraine — Ukraine is an independent country that became so in December 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.