---
title: "WSJ: US-China Disagreements Over Format of Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping Meeting Threaten Shenzhen Summit"
description: "WSJ: US and China disagreements over the format of the Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping meeting at APEC in Shenzhen could derail talks. Beijing demands a regulated format; Washington wants an open discussion."
date: 2026-11-10T05:55:06.719Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/wsj-us-china-disagreements-trump-putin-xi-meeting
tags: [trump, putin, xi-jinping, apec, shenzhen, nuclear-disarmament, us-china-russia, trilateral-summit]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# WSJ: US-China Disagreements Over Format of Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping Meeting Threaten Shenzhen Summit

![Donald Trump sitting at a desk in the White House with his hands spread and a displeased expression](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/10/wsj-raznoglasiya-ssha-kitaya-po-formatu-vstrechi-trampa-putina-si-tszinpina/wsj-raznoglasiya-ssha-kitaya-po-formatu-vstrechi-trampa-putina-si-tszinpina-1.webp)

## Key Points

- China demands a strictly regulated meeting format with the reading of a pre-prepared statement, while the US insists on an open discussion
- Trump intends to raise the issue of denuclearization, which Beijing considers unacceptable due to the asymmetry of nuclear arsenals
- According to the WSJ, Putin's initiative is aimed at using the warming with Washington to advance conditions for ending the war against Ukraine without Zelenskyy's participation
- The APEC summit in Shenzhen will take place on November 18–19, 2026; currently, no party has announced a refusal, but a disruption scenario is being discussed

The trilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the parties considered on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China (November 18–19), is facing the threat of disruption. According to The Wall Street Journal, obtained by RBC-Ukraine, Washington and Beijing cannot agree on the format of the talks: China insists on a strictly regulated procedure with the reading of a pre-prepared statement and minimal space for discussion, whereas the Trump administration demands an open format allowing the three leaders to actively exchange views. Disagreements over rules and the agenda raise doubts about whether the meeting will take place, despite all three countries initially expressing readiness to consider the idea.

### Format as a Bargaining Chip

The Chinese side, according to WSJ sources, is ready to host the trilateral meeting only on the condition of preliminary preparation that ensures an agreed agenda and a predetermined outcome. Beijing, the publication claims, seeks to create the "appearance of a historic trilateral dialogue"—with photographs, statements, and propaganda value—without the risk of unpredictable negotiations. A high-ranking US administration official, in turn, stated that Xi Jinping does not appear ready to engage in informal exchanges of views with colleagues, and that the demand for a rigid format raises questions about Beijing's readiness for direct engagement. Without preliminary preparation, according to the same source, China would prefer to hold separate bilateral meetings.

### The Nuclear Issue: Beijing's Red Line

A key irritant has been Trump's intention to raise the issue of denuclearization and arms control at the meeting. China possesses a significantly smaller atomic potential than the US and Russia, although its arsenal is growing rapidly. For Beijing, participating in trilateral arms control negotiations, according to the WSJ, risks cementing its status as "nuclearly inferior." One Chinese official stated directly to the publication that Beijing will not agree to participate in such talks. At the same time, Xi Jinping has overseen the most significant expansion of China's nuclear arsenal in the country's history, making any formatting that fixes asymmetry unacceptable to him.

### Moscow's Strategic Calculation

According to the WSJ assessment, Putin's proposal for a trilateral meeting was aimed at taking advantage of the warming relations between Trump and the Kremlin and, relying on China, achieving progress in ending the war against Ukraine on terms favorable to Russia—and without the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, commenting on the agenda, told RIA Novosti that it "should not be limited to some separate topics, but should include a whole set" of international challenges. Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov previously stressed that a single meeting would not be enough to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and that "even in a few hours of negotiations it is impossible to resolve all accumulated problems," although the topic of Ukraine may enter the agenda in one form or another.

### Timeline and Risks of Disruption

The APEC summit in Shenzhen is scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, leaving less than ten days to resolve disagreements over the format. Currently, none of the parties has announced a refusal to meet, but according to the WSJ, disagreements over the rules of procedure and the content of the agenda have already led to discussions within the US and Chinese administrations of a scenario where, instead of a single trilateral summit, only separate bilateral contacts will take place. The outcome of the format negotiations is expected to be known in the coming days, directly ahead of the APEC summit.

## Accounts differ

### Format and agenda of the trilateral meeting

- **US Administration (according to WSJ):** Insists on an open format allowing the three leaders to actively exchange views rather than read pre-prepared monologues; intends to raise the issue of denuclearization ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zustrich-trampa-putina-ta-si-tszinpina-mozhe-1794289523.html))
- **China (according to WSJ):** Demands a strictly regulated format with the reading of a pre-prepared statement and minimal space for discussion; will not agree to participate in trilateral arms control negotiations ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zustrich-trampa-putina-ta-si-tszinpina-mozhe-1794289523.html))
- **Russia (Deputy FM Andrey Rudenko):** The agenda should cover a wide range of issues and not be limited to separate topics; Moscow is interested in holding trilateral talks ([kp.ru](https://www.kp.ru/online/news/7237195/))

*Where they agree:* All three parties initially expressed readiness to consider holding the meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 18–19, 2026.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Встреча Трампа, Путина и Си Цзиньпина может сорваться из-за разногласий по формату, - WSJ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zustrich-trampa-putina-ta-si-tszinpina-mozhe-1794289523.html) - Primary source: WSJ retelling with anonymous sources in the US and PRC administrations. The fact of format disagreements is confirmed, but the outcome of the meeting is undetermined.
- [Захарова раскрыла, как встреча Путина, Трампа и Си Цзиньпина повлияет на мир](https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2026/10/25/29597281.shtml) - Confirms that the meeting is viewed as a significant international event; Zakharova's comment on the world community's hopes.
- [Встреча Путина, Си Цзиньпина и Трампа может пойти по необычному сценарию: в России выступили с ...](https://www.kp.ru/online/news/7237195/) - Statements by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko and Presidential Aide Ushakov regarding the agenda and interest in trilateral talks. Confirms the fact of discussing the meeting and the Russian position on the agenda.
- [Встреча Путина, Трампа и Си Цзиньпина закончится «масштабной истерикой»: политолог оценил ...](https://fedpress.ru/news/77/policy/3456551) - Political scientist's assessment: the summit is "quite real," but large-scale results should not be expected. Expert opinion, not a primary fact.

## FAQ

### When and where is the trilateral meeting supposed to take place?

The meeting is being considered on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, which will take place on November 18–19, 2026. Currently, neither side has announced a refusal, but the format has not been agreed upon.

### What is the essence of the disagreements between the US and China?

China demands a strictly regulated format with the reading of a pre-prepared statement and minimal space for discussion. The Trump administration insists on an open format allowing leaders to actively exchange views.

### Why is China against discussing the nuclear issue?

According to the WSJ, participating in trilateral arms control negotiations would cement Beijing's status as "nuclearly inferior" due to its significantly smaller atomic potential compared to the US and Russia. A Chinese official stated that Beijing will not agree to such participation.

### What is Russia's position on the meeting's agenda?

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stated that the agenda should cover a wide range of issues and not be limited to separate topics. Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov noted that a single meeting would not be enough to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, but the topic of Ukraine could enter the agenda.