Asian summits put US-China rivalry, trade and security in focus

World leaders are gathering for a series of Asian summits as the US and China compete for influence, with trade, technology and regional security on the agenda. A confirmed meeting between Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at the Apec summit has drawn particular attention, though analysts doubt it will produce major decisions on Ukraine or Taiwan.

The meetings begin with Asean in the Philippines on Sunday, followed by Apec in Shenzhen from Wednesday; Trump is due at both. A Quad gathering involving Australia, India, Japan and the US will take place alongside the Manila meeting, while Cambodia hosts a Francophone summit. Apec economies account for more than 60% of global GDP, and discussions are expected to cover AI, tariffs, clean energy, the South China Sea, Myanmar and Taiwan.