World leaders are convening in Asia this week for a series of high-level diplomatic summits focused on trade, technology, and regional security amid ongoing tensions between major powers, particularly the United States and China. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ meeting is set to take place in Shenzhen, China, beginning Wednesday, where U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with other leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This Apec summit comes shortly after Trump lost the midterm elections and follows revelations about Nvidia’s CEO allegedly having an affair with a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy. Apec is significant, encompassing over 60% of global GDP, and aims to promote free trade and multilateralism. A pivotal aspect of this year’s summit is the trilateral meeting between Trump, Xi, and Putin, drawing comparisons to the 1945 Yalta Conference, although analysts suggest any outcomes will be more symbolic than actionable.
Xiaoyu Pu, an associate professor at the University of Nevada, highlighted that the meeting’s symbolism matters in grand diplomacy. “Trump appears interested in nuclear arms control and denuclearization. Xi’s priority is to maintain a stable relationship with Washington while preserving ties with Russia, while Putin looks to uphold his leverage regarding Ukraine,” he explained.
The Apec summit follows the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting, which starts Sunday in Manila. During this gathering, U.S. officials will also participate in discussions with Australia, India, and Japan as part of the Quad alliance. Concurrently, a Francophone summit featuring Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron is taking place in Cambodia.
Key topics expected to be discussed at these meetings include artificial intelligence supply chains, governance, tariff reductions, and the transition to green energy. The South China Sea, where China has established military outposts amidst ongoing territorial disputes, remains a critical regional focus. Concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar also persist, along with the status of Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Taiwan is sending an envoy to Apec in the form of the founder of tech company Acer.
Analysts indicate that the U.S. approach in the region has evolved since President Barack Obama’s “pivot to Asia” policy, which sought to strengthen ties in the face of China’s rise. Trump’s administration has adopted a transactional style, which has left some Southeast Asian countries seeking deeper regional ties and economic agreements independent of the U.S. geopolitical sphere.
Jayant Menon, an economist at Singapore’s Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that Southeast Asian nations have begun laying the groundwork to reduce dependence on the U.S. amid uncertainties regarding future U.S. policy. Meanwhile, China’s approach, characterized by what some view as more predictable actions, has not claimed unchallenged acceptance among its neighbors, especially concerning contentious issues like those in the South China Sea.
Diplomats will grapple with how to manage relations with Myanmar at the Asean summit, particularly as the international court of justice prepares to rule on allegations of genocide against the Myanmar military. Despite ongoing tensions, leaders are not expected to finalize a South China Sea agreement this year, with talks anticipated to extend into next year under Singapore’s forthcoming leadership of Asean.
Following this week’s diplomatic activities, the G20 summit will take place next month in Miami, where Xi is expected to attend if U.S.-China relations remain stable.
