China confirmed on Friday, November 6, 2026, that it is in talks about a historic meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first time Beijing has publicly acknowledged talks about bringing the three leaders together. The possible Xi-Trump-Putin meeting would take place this month on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen.

The confirmation came as Washington pressed Beijing to honour the Busan trade truce. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, demanding China "fully and immediately" implement its commitments on farm purchases, rare earths and critical minerals.

Key Points

• Beijing confirmed on Friday, November 6, 2026, that it is discussing a historic meeting of Xi Jinping, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
• Nothing is set, but the gathering would take place this month on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen.
• Trump is expected in Shenzhen for APEC on November 18 and 19 to meet Xi for the third time this year.
• Bessent and Greer told He Lifeng that China must "fully and immediately" implement its Busan trade commitments.
• Under Busan, China pledged 25 million metric tons of US soybeans over three years and $17 billion of US farm goods a year through 2028.

What Happened

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing that China "is in communication with relevant parties regarding a meeting between the three heads of state". It was the first time Beijing had confirmed such a meeting is under discussion, after weeks in which the idea had circulated only in news reports.

The timing matters. The APEC summit runs November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, and Trump is expected to attend to meet Xi for the third time this year. A second Trump-Xi meeting is also expected at the G20 in Miami on December 14 and 15, while the fragile trade truce expires on January 10. Before Mao Ning spoke, Bessent and Greer held their video call with He Lifeng, demanding China honour its October 2025 Busan commitments, above all on farm purchases, rare earths and other critical minerals. China lodged "solemn representations" over recent US trade restrictions, and its Commerce Ministry said it is willing to buy US farm goods if tariff cuts are agreed.

Background: From a Rumour to a Confirmation

The idea of a three-way meeting has circulated for weeks. The Wall Street Journal reported it was floated by Putin, and the Kremlin said only that the possibility had been raised, with no concrete proposal or agenda. Until Friday, Beijing had said nothing: Mao Ning had told reporters she had no information to disclose. Friday's confirmation does not mean the meeting will happen — Beijing stressed nothing has been set — but all three governments are now talking about it openly.

The trade backdrop is the Busan agreement of October 2025. Under it, China pledged 25 million metric tons of US soybeans over three years and at least $17 billion of US farm products a year through 2028, and to roll back rare-earth export controls, while US tariffs on Chinese goods were capped near 20 percent. The Busan trade deal in full.

The Xi-Trump-Putin Meeting: What We Know So Far

What is known is limited but significant. Beijing has confirmed talks are under way. The venue would be Shenzhen, on the sidelines of APEC. Trump is expected in Shenzhen for the summit on November 18 and 19. No date, format or agenda has been announced, and neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed it will take place.

What is not known matters too. It is unclear whether the three leaders would meet together in one room or hold a series of bilateral meetings on the same day, and what the meeting would cover: trade, the war in Ukraine, nuclear weapons and rare earths are all live issues. Trump's earlier plan for nuclear talks with Xi.

Reactions and Quotes

Mao Ning's wording was careful. By saying China "is in communication with relevant parties regarding a meeting between the three heads of state", Beijing confirmed the talks without committing to an outcome. The phrasing leaves room for the meeting to happen, to be postponed, or to be quietly dropped, and puts the decision in all three sides' hands.

The US message on trade was blunter. Bessent and Greer told He Lifeng that China must "fully and immediately" implement its Busan commitments, above all on agricultural purchases, rare earths and other critical minerals. China answered with "solemn representations" over recent US trade restrictions — diplomatic language for a formal protest — while signalling it will buy US farm goods if tariff cuts are agreed.

Why It Matters

A meeting between Xi, Trump and Putin would be the most consequential gathering of world leaders this year. The three men lead the world's three largest nuclear powers, and between them they hold the keys to the war in Ukraine, US-China trade, the global supply of rare earths and the future of nuclear arms control.

It also matters because of the timing. The US-China trade truce expires on January 10, and APEC is the last big chance for Trump and Xi to settle a longer arrangement face to face before that deadline. A three-way meeting would put Putin in the same room as Washington and Beijing decide the future of their economic relationship.

What Happens Next

The APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19 is the next milestone. If the three-way meeting is to happen, it will be confirmed in the days before the summit, when leaders' schedules are published. Watch for Washington and Moscow to match Beijing's statement.

On trade, the call sets up a test of the Busan deal: the US will watch for Chinese soybean purchases and movement on rare-earth export controls in coming weeks. The White House is also managing parallel diplomacy on Iran, where Vice President JD Vance said this week talks are making progress with no deadline for a deal. Vance on the Iran talks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Xi-Trump-Putin meeting?
A possible three-way meeting of Xi Jinping, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, which Beijing said on November 6, 2026 is under discussion, on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen.

Has the meeting been confirmed?
No. Beijing confirmed only that talks are under way. Nothing is set, and neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed it will take place.

When would it happen?
This month, on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19, where Trump is expected to meet Xi for the third time this year.

What did the US demand from China on trade?
Bessent and Greer told Vice Premier He Lifeng that China must "fully and immediately" implement its Busan commitments on farm purchases, rare earths and other critical minerals.

What did China agree to in Busan?
Under the October 2025 agreement, China pledged 25 million metric tons of US soybeans over three years and at least $17 billion of US farm products a year through 2028, and to roll back rare-earth export controls.