US President Donald Trump is preparing for a possible visit to South Korea next month, where he could meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the city of Gyeongju.
Senior administration officials said discussions are underway to finalise the itinerary, with the trip viewed as a key opportunity for Trump to engage with regional leaders.
POSSIBLE MEETING WITH XI JINPING
According to CNN, the White House is considering a bilateral meeting between Trump and Xi on the sidelines of APEC. The possible talks are being seen as key to trade and security relations, although no formal decision has been made till now.
Xi recently invited Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to China, which was reciprocated by Trump, though dates have not been set.
Officials said Trump’s visit may also serve to secure fresh economic investments for the US, similar to his previous tours in the Middle East. Trade, defence cooperation, and civil nuclear partnerships are expected to dominate the agenda.
Trump’s visit to South Korea may also bring into focus the possibility of resumed negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed the summit as a possible site for such a meeting. Trump has publicly signalled receptivity, stating he is “ready to meet Kim” and hopes to enhance relations.
The visit coincides with a sensitive moment in US relations with China and North Korea. Xi welcomed Kim, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Beijing earlier this week during a major military parade, which Trump criticised online. Despite his sharp remarks, Trump later described the ceremony as “very impressive” and insisted his personal ties with the leaders remain strong.
TRADE DISPUTES CONTINUE
Any session with Xi would also occur against the backdrop of ongoing trade tensions. The US has imposed up to 145% tariffs on Chinese products this year, which elicited retaliation from Beijing. Trump has postponed additional increases until November as talks are ongoing.
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