Bessent may skip Apec in Hong Kong to focus on Trump’s Shenzhen visit, sources say
Por William Zheng,Khushboo Razdan — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement 2026 Xi-Trump summits China Diplomacy Exclusive Bessent may skip Apec in Hong Kong to focus on Trump’s Shenzhen visit, sources say
US Treasury secretary expected to meet Chinese vice-premier in Shenzhen ahead of summit in November as trade truce extension takes priority
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William Zheng and Khushboo Razdan Published: 3:00pm, 9 Oct 2026 Updated: 3:01pm, 9 Oct 2026 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent may skip a meeting of Apec finance ministers in Hong Kong later this month to focus on preparing for President Donald Trump ’s historic visit to Shenzhen in November, sources told the South China Morning Post. Bessent is expected to meet Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Shenzhen ahead of Trump’s visit – when Trump will again hold talks with President Xi Jinping – as the two sides look to secure a longer extension of the bilateral trade truce, which is due to expire on January 10.
With that taking priority, it is understood that Bessent wants to focus on the Shenzhen meeting.
Washington will instead send a deputy to attend the gathering of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation finance ministers in Hong Kong. Erin Browne, Treasury undersecretary for international affairs, is the leading candidate to head the US delegation on October 20 and 21, a source familiar with the situation said. Select Voice Select Speed 0.8x 0.9x 1.0x 1.1x 1.2x 1.5x 1.75x 00:00 00:00 1x AI-generated voice
