Can Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin give Donald Trump the Iran exit he needs?
US president aims to broker peace deal during upcoming Apec summit in Shenzhen
Quick Look
- US President Donald Trump has proposed a trilateral summit with Chinese and Russian leaders at the upcoming Apec meeting in Shenzhen to negotiate an end to the Iran war.
- Analysts suggest Beijing may prefer a neutral mediator role over direct pressure.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Beijing has historically resisted trilateral arms-control talks with Washington and Moscow. The US administration is currently seeking diplomatic breakthroughs following midterm elections.
On denuclearisation, Beijing has resisted pressure to join trilateral arms-control talks with Washington and Moscow, citing smaller arsenal.
Donald Trump has floated the idea of a trilateral summit with China and Russia to broker an end to the Iran war, with his administration under pressure to deliver a breakthrough following the US midterm elections, according to analysts.
Chinese observers also see Beijing potentially playing the role of a neutral mediator and offering a diplomatic platform rather than pressuring Tehran into a deal.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president said he would meet his Chinese and Russian counterparts during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Shenzhen next week in a bid to broker an end to the Iran war.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Trilateral summit meeting at Apec in Shenzhen
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will China and Russia agree to the summit?
- What specific terms would the US propose for the Iran war?
