Bessent may skip Apec in Hong Kong to focus on Trump’s Shenzhen visit, sources say
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…
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent may skip the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation finance ministers' meeting in Hong Kong later this month to concentrate on preparations for President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Shenzhen in November, according to sources. Bessent is expected to meet Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Shenzhen before Trump's visit, as both nations aim to secure an extension of their trade truce, which expires on January 10.
Treasury undersecretary for international affairs Erin Browne, who has been involved in economic negotiations with China, is the leading candidate to head the US delegation at the Hong Kong gathering on October 20 and 21. Bessent's absence is said to be due to his focus on the Shenzhen meeting, and logistics making it impractical for him to travel to Hong Kong.
The Apec finance ministers' meeting is considered less critical for Bessent than the high-level meeting between the two top leaders in Shenzhen, as the finance ministers' meeting is seen as less important for global financial architecture and macroeconomic rebalancing.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
