(Image source from: x.com/USTradeRep)
US President Donald Trump departed on Friday for Asia, aiming to engage in important trade discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and he expressed a desire to potentially meet North Korean chief Kim Jong Un during his journey. Trump plans to connect with Xi in South Korea on the trip's final day, hoping to finalize an agreement to resolve the ongoing trade conflict between the two largest global economies. He will also travel to Malaysia and Japan on his first Asian visit since returning to the White House in January, which was marked by new tariffs and negotiations on international deals. While on Air Force One, Trump mentioned to reporters that he is optimistic about having a "very good meeting" with Xi and expects China to strike a deal to prevent new 100 percent tariffs set to start on November 1. As he departed from Washington, Trump hinted that he might have the chance to meet Kim Jong Un on the Korean Peninsula for their first encounter since 2019.
"I would be open to it. If you want to spread the word, I’m available," Trump mentioned on the presidential aircraft. "I had a wonderful relationship with him." Their last meeting occurred in Hanoi, Vietnam, during Trump's first presidential term. Kim has expressed willingness to meet with the US president as long as the US drops its request for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons. Seoul’s reunification minister commented that there is a "considerable" possibility that Trump and Kim will meet while the US leader is in South Korea, especially for a regional summit. Trump will first head to Malaysia, arriving on Sunday for the ASEAN summit, which he had missed several times during his first term. He is expected to finalize a trade agreement with Malaysia; however, his more significant goal seems to be overseeing the signing of a peace treaty between Thailand and Cambodia as part of his pursuit for a Nobel Peace Prize.
He also mentioned that he expects to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the summit to mend relations with the leftist leader after a period of tension. Trump's next stop will be Tokyo, where he is set to arrive on Monday. He will meet with conservative Sanae Takaichi, who was named Japan's first female prime minister earlier this week, on Tuesday. The US president remarked that he has "heard wonderful things about her" and praised her connection to former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was close to Trump. Japan has largely avoided the severe tariffs that Trump imposed on multiple countries to address what he describes as unfair trade practices that are "taking advantage of the United States."
South Korea is anticipated to be the most significant part of the journey, with Trump scheduled to arrive in Busan, a southern coastal city, on Wednesday, before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit takes place. During the summit in Gyeongju, Trump is planning to have a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, give a speech at an APEC luncheon for business executives, and dine with top executives from US technology companies.
Trump will encounter Xi on Thursday, marking their first interaction since Trump's return to his position. Financial markets globally will be paying close attention to ascertain whether the two leaders can bring an end to the trade conflict that Trump's broad tariffs initiated earlier in the year, particularly following the recent disagreement regarding Beijing's limitations on rare-earth elements.
During that conflict, Trump initially considered calling off the meeting and declared new tariffs of 100 percent, but he later stated that he would proceed as scheduled. The President of the United States has stated that he intends to discuss fentanyl with Xi, increasing pressure on Beijing to control the illegal trafficking of this potent opioid and taking action against drug cartels operating in Latin America.
