The US midterm elections take place on Tuesday (3 November). The results will shape political relations between Congress and the White House, while also sending signals to both sides of the Taiwan Strait about US political realities. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting will be held in Shenzhen, China, on 18 and 19 November. Whether the Chinese, US and Russian leaders will hold trilateral talks on the sidelines remains uncertain.