FT: White House's silence casts doubt on Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing

The White House has not officially responded to a proposal for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

According to the Financial Times, disagreements over key issues—including trade and the export of chemicals used in fentanyl production—make a Beijing summit less likely.

Sources suggest that the leaders could instead meet in a less formal setting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for October 31–November 1 in Gyeongju, South Korea.

Former Acting U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Wendy Cutler noted that there has been insufficient time to prepare a full trade agreement that might justify a Trump visit to Beijing. She suggested that the leaders may limit themselves to a statement on interim progress.

Sara Beran, a former White House advisor on China, emphasised that the meeting location remains uncertain and no final decision has been made.

By Khagan Isayev