The diplomatic session will convene while leaders from 21 member economies representing roughly half of global trade gather in China to discuss pressing economic and security challenges. Disarmament discussions will be complicated by Beijing's resistance, given its estimated 600 nuclear warheads compared to the more than 5,000 held by both the U.S. and Russia. Additionally, while the White House confirmed the war with Iran could be addressed, Donald Trump does not intend to raise the ongoing war in Ukraine. Entrepreneur Elon Musk will travel with the American delegation to China but is barred from the three-way negotiations.
Key points
Washington is actively pushing to replace expired bilateral arms control frameworks with…: Washington is actively pushing to replace expired bilateral arms control frameworks with a new agreement that incorporates Beijing.
Significant disparities in nuclear stockpiles and ongoing geopolitical friction over trad…: Significant disparities in nuclear stockpiles and ongoing geopolitical friction over trade and technology present steep hurdles to negotiations.
Broader discussions will encompass the American war with Iran, though the conflict in Ukr…: Broader discussions will encompass the American war with Iran, though the conflict in Ukraine is intentionally excluded from the agenda.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
US President Donald Trump, Chinese President
Xi Jinping and Russian President
Vladimir Putin are expected to hold an unprecedented trilateral meeting on the sidelines of next week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China.
The discussions could potentially cover nuclear stockpiles and the ongoing war with Iran, the White House confirmed on Friday.
The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, would bring together the leaders of the world's three largest nuclear powers at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties and growing competition over technology.
Trump has said the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss the US war with Iran and his proposal for a three-way agreement on nuclear weapons stockpiles. However, a US official said the American president does not plan to discuss the Ukraine war with Xi and Putin during the meeting, although Iran is expected to feature in the discussions.
The proposed summit comes amid shifting relations between Washington, Beijing and Moscow. Trump has sought to strengthen ties with Xi following a truce in their trade dispute last year, despite differences over the US military campaign…
The upcoming diplomatic engagements with Chinese leadership will omit discussions regarding Alice Huang, according to assessments from American officials. This development signals that the matter will not be prioritized during the highest-level bilateral talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Consequently, any progress on her situation will likely depend on alternative diplomatic channels or remain unaddressed in the immediate future.
The high-stakes trilateral dialogue in Shenzhen brings together the world's primary nuclear powers to address dangerous stockpiles and potential regional concerns regarding Iran. Convening at the conclusion of a major economic summit, the discussions represent an unprecedented diplomatic engagement despite neither Moscow nor Beijing formally confirming the event. While Ukraine remains off the agenda, the encounter signals an effort to re-engage on critical arms reduction priorities.
Washington views its current financial penalties as sufficient to weaken Tehran without relying on additional armed strikes. Speaking to legal professionals in the capital, the nation's top diplomat emphasized that preventing the regime from acquiring nuclear capability remains the administration's primary benchmark for success. However, these ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to impose broader financial costs internationally.