Trump to Meet Xi at APEC Summit in South Korea Next Month
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea, scheduled for October 31 and November 1. This meeting marks the first in-person discussion between the two leaders since Trump began his second term in office.
During a phone conversation on Friday, the two heads of state discussed several significant topics, including trade relations, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the approval of a deal related to the social media platform TikTok. Trump shared on social media, “I also agreed with President Xi that we would meet at the APEC Summit in South Korea, that I would go to China in the early part of next year, and that President Xi would, likewise, come to the United States at an appropriate time.” He described the call as “very good,” highlighting their mutual interest in future discussions and cooperation.
The APEC Summit will convene leaders from approximately two dozen economies, making it a key event for international diplomacy and economic dialogue. Trump’s previous visit to China occurred in 2017 during his first term, where he sought to strengthen bilateral relations.
Despite expressing positive sentiments regarding Xi throughout his second term, Trump’s administration has implemented significant tariffs on Chinese goods, particularly concerning the flow of fentanyl into the United States. These tariffs were first established during his initial presidency and remain in effect.
Earlier this month, President Xi hosted a summit in Tianjin, China, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This gathering was perceived as a step towards deepening ties among the three nations. Following that meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a military parade in China, further emphasizing the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region.
As the APEC Summit approaches, the upcoming meetings between Trump and Xi are likely to draw significant attention, with implications for global trade, security, and international cooperation. Both leaders have expressed a commitment to maintaining dialogue, reflecting their recognition of the complex interdependencies between the United States and China.
