Rubio, Wang Yi Agree on Trilateral Talks: What It Means for Denuclearisation
Rubio and Wang Yi agreed leader-level talks matter for peace and denuclearisation, including a possible Trump-Xi-Putin meeting, ahead of Trump's APEC trip.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Carol M. Highsmith
Washington, November 12 — United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday, in a call held at Beijing's request, ahead of talks that could bring Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin together. The United States Department of State said they discussed Trump's trip to the APEC summit in China next week and Xi's planned visit to Florida next month for the G20 summit, and agreed leader-level talks matter for peace and denuclearisation, including at a possible trilateral leaders' meeting with Russia.
China's account struck a different note. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the conversation "positive and constructive" and made no mention of denuclearisation or a trilateral summit. Wang said the current stability in relations had not come easily.
Key Takeaways
- Rubio and Wang spoke on Wednesday, November 11, at China's request.
- Both sides agreed leader-level talks matter for peace and denuclearisation, the State Department said.
- China called the call "positive and constructive" but mentioned neither denuclearisation nor a trilateral summit.
- Trump expects to meet Xi and Putin in Shenzhen; none is confirmed.
What the Rubio-Wang Yi Call Covered: APEC, G20 and a Trilateral Meeting
Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that work was underway to arrange a trilateral meeting on the APEC sidelines involving Trump, Xi and Putin. Trump said on Sunday he thought he would meet Xi and Putin in Shenzhen to discuss ending the war in Iran and denuclearisation. Xi and Trump have met twice this year, steadying relations, though wide differences remain.
Trump first raised the idea of a three-way meeting with Putin and Xi at the APEC summit in Shenzhen earlier this month. The State Department has announced no date, venue or agenda for a trilateral session.
Why China Has Resisted Joining Trilateral Nuclear Talks
Trump said in October he was open to three-way arms control talks with Xi and Putin, focused on nuclear weapons. China has appeared less keen. Last month, China's Foreign Ministry said its nuclear strength is "by no means at the same level" as that of the United States and Russia, and that asking China to join trilateral nuclear disarmament talks now would be "neither fair, reasonable nor realistic".
What Happens Next: APEC in Shenzhen, Then the G20 in Florida
The calendar now moves fast. Trump travels to China next week for the APEC summit, where he is expected to meet Xi, and Xi is due in Florida next month for the G20 summit. The two leaders met in Washington in September and extended a trade truce due to expire in November — but disputes over tariffs, rare earth exports and technology restrictions remain unresolved.
On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides would advance a new dialogue on artificial intelligence, while warning Washington should harbour no illusions about its differences with Beijing. Separately, American envoys have been in Abu Dhabi this week for trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine, and the administration is pressing ahead with its naval blockade and sanctions pressure on Iran even as it explores a diplomatic route.
| Date | Event | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | Trump and Xi meet in Washington | Two-month trade truce extension agreed |
| November 11, 2026 | Rubio speaks with Wang Yi | Call at China's request; denuclearisation discussed |
| Next week | APEC summit in Shenzhen | Trump and Xi expected to meet |
| Next month | G20 summit in Florida | Xi expected to attend |
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Marco Rubio and Wang Yi discuss in their November 11 call?
They discussed Trump's trip to the APEC summit in China next week and Xi's planned visit to Florida for the G20 summit next month, and agreed leader-level talks matter for peace and denuclearisation, including at a possible trilateral meeting with Russia.
Will Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet at APEC in Shenzhen?
No meeting has been confirmed. Trump said he thought he would meet Xi and Putin in Shenzhen, and Rubio said work was underway to arrange a trilateral meeting on the APEC sidelines.
Why has China resisted joining trilateral nuclear talks with the US and Russia?
China's Foreign Ministry said its nuclear strength is not at the level of the United States and Russia, and that asking China to join trilateral nuclear disarmament talks now would be neither fair, reasonable nor realistic.
No trilateral meeting has been confirmed. The next test comes in Shenzhen next week, when Trump and Xi are expected to meet on the APEC sidelines.
