US President Biden and Chinese President Xi to Meet in San Francisco on the APEC agenda
Plans have been announced for a bilateral meeting between President Joe Biden of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China in San Francisco. The talks are scheduled to take place on November 15 as part of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation Summit, according to a senior American official. The gathering aims to address a range of trust-building steps and shared concerns on global stability and economic cooperation.
People familiar with the discussions say that final decisions about the format and detailed logistics of the Biden-Xi meeting are still being worked out. The exact structure of the dialogue, including whether there will be one-on-one time, moderated sessions, or a broader format with aides present, remains under consideration. The last time Xi visited the United States was in 2017, and his most recent encounter with the U.S. president occurred at the G20 summit in Bali the previous year, underscoring the long intervals between direct high-level exchanges.
Beyond the presidential talks, key economic and governmental figures are slated to participate in related events. Janet Yellen, the United States Treasury Undersecretary, and He Lifeng, the Deputy Prime Minister of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, are expected to meet at the San Francisco venue during the summit. These engagements reflect a broad effort to align on economic policy, financial stability, and investment clarity amid ongoing global shifts.
Earlier communications from the U.S. State Department indicated that issuing a formal joint declaration after the APEC summit would not be feasible, given the scope and sensitivity of topics on the agenda. That stance aligns with the cautious framing often seen in high-level diplomacy when multiple states seek measurable progress without overpromising immediate consensus.
Historically, discussions between Washington and Beijing have highlighted the enduring frictions that accompany the bilateral relationship, with both sides seeking practical areas of cooperation while navigating areas of strategic disagreement. Observers note that meetings of this kind can help reduce misinterpretations and provide a platform for candid exchanges on security, trade, technology, and regional stability. The San Francisco talks are expected to be part of a broader set of international discussions during the APEC period, emphasizing practical steps toward constructive engagement rather than symbolic gestures. The overall aim is to foster dialogue channels that can withstand episodic tensions and support predictable, transparent policy moves for global markets. Attribution: official briefings and briefings from participating governments.
Analysts stress that the trajectory of U.S.-China relations remains a central variable in global economic outlooks, supply chain resilience, and regional security architecture. The San Francisco meeting is watched closely by policymakers, business leaders, and observers across North America, as it may influence forthcoming negotiations on trade rules, technology safeguards, and collaborative research initiatives. While no sweeping accords are anticipated, the talks could pave the way for incremental agreements or clarifications that help reduce volatility in key sectors and reassure markets. The event will be assessed for signs of continuity or change in the approach both nations take toward diplomacy, economic integration, and strategic competition. Source synthesis from official statements and analyst briefings.