Wang and Rubio Speak Ahead of Expected Trump-Xi Meeting

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone ahead of an expected meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in Shenzhen on November 18-19. China’s official accounts described the call as positive and constructive, and said Beijing was willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Washington.

China’s foreign ministry said Wang told Rubio that the countries should handle differences and sensitive issues carefully. Wang also described the recent stability in China-U.S. relations as hard won and a rational choice based on shared and separate interests. The account of the call and Wang’s remarks came from Chinese officials; no separate U.S. account of their discussion was included in the reports.

The anticipated Trump-Xi meeting is expected to take place during the APEC gathering. The reports describe it as forthcoming, not as a meeting that has already occurred. Economic and artificial intelligence cooperation are among the issues being prepared for discussion. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng were expected to meet...