Trump expects Xi, Putin talks at APEC, open to bringing Nvidia's Huang

A potential meeting between Trump, Xi and Putin centred partly on ending the Iran war could act as a de-escalation catalyst for oil. This sits uncomfortably alongside Rubio's view that discussions with Tehran are unproductive and the weekend's attacks on regional energy infrastructure, so crude markets are likely to treat it as a headline to monitor rather than a trigger for repricing. For Nvidia, Trump's support offers some buffer ahead of tonight's first trading session following Huang's admission, though his "you never know" remark stops short of a full endorsement. Whether Huang accompanies the trip will be interpreted as an indication of his influence on China chip policy.

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Trump is travelling to China with Iran and nuclear arms on the agenda for potential talks with Xi and Putin, and he stated he would happily bring Jensen Huang along — a gesture of support that may become a measure of Huang's political clout.

Summary:

• Trump stated he believes he will meet Xi and Putin at next week's APEC summit in China.
• Discussions would cover many topics, including denuclearisation and halting the Iran war.
• He said he had not talked to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang about the allegations, but called him a fine, honourable person.
• Trump stated Huang probably had an explanation that deserved a hearing, and that he would certainly take him on the Asia trip.
• Trump said he was "only kidding" about appointing UFC boss Dana White as White House press secretary.

US President Donald Trump said he anticipates meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at next week's APEC summit in China. He also indicated he would be prepared to bring Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang along, despite the controversy surrounding Huang's relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence asset.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said a meeting with Xi and Putin "will be interesting" and would address many topics, including denuclearisation and ending the Iran war, Reuters reported. Such a gathering would assemble the leaders of the US, China and Russia as the Iran conflict enters its eighth month.

On Huang, Trump said he had not discussed the allegations with the Nvidia chief but characterised him as a fine and honourable person who had done an outstanding job for the United States. He added that Huang likely had an explanation and that it should be heard, while conceding that "you never know what is going on." When asked if Huang would accompany him to Asia, Trump said he did not know but would certainly take him.

Trump's comments came on the same day Huang acknowledged a romantic relationship with Alice Huang, a Megaspeed executive US officials reportedly believe was recruited by Chinese intelligence, and that Nvidia's board had launched an independent investigation. The board has said it finds no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised, and Huang continues as chief executive.

Whether Huang travels to China with the president will be closely scrutinised. His inclusion would signal that the White House still views him as an important voice on AI and chip policy. His exclusion would suggest the affair has begun to erode his political access at a sensitive time for US export controls.

In a lighter moment, Trump said he had only been joking about naming Ultimate Fighting Championship chief executive Dana White as White House press secretary. He stated White loved the idea and that the two would speak on Monday about other issues.

For markets, the APEC summit now emerges as a notable event, with any progress on Iran carrying implications for oil and any signal on chips directly affecting Nvidia.