Executive Summary
- President Trump is reportedly preparing for a trip to South Korea next month to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers gathering.
- The trip offers potential opportunities for President Trump to hold high-level bilateral meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and possibly North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un.
- The administration views the visit as crucial for securing economic investments, fostering trade, and discussing defense and civil nuclear cooperation in the region.
The Story So Far
- President Donald Trump’s anticipated trip to South Korea for the APEC summit is set against a backdrop of complex US-China trade negotiations, which have seen tariffs exchanged and ongoing talks, and his administration’s consistent focus on securing more economic investments for the United States. Furthermore, the potential high-level meetings occur amid recent public criticism from Trump regarding Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s gatherings with other world leaders, highlighting the intricate and sometimes strained geopolitical relationships in the region.
Why This Matters
- President Trump’s upcoming trip to the APEC summit in South Korea presents a critical diplomatic opportunity for high-stakes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping to address trade and economic investments, and potentially with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, which could significantly impact ongoing US-China trade negotiations and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region.
Who Thinks What?
- President Donald Trump and his top advisors view the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea as a crucial opportunity for potential high-level meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and possibly North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, aiming to secure economic investments and discuss trade, defense, and civil nuclear cooperation.
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung extended an invitation to President Trump, suggesting the APEC summit could provide an opening for a meeting between Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un.
President Donald Trump and his top advisors are reportedly preparing for a trip to South Korea next month to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers gathering. The summit, scheduled for late October to early November in Gyeongju, is seen as a crucial opportunity for Trump to potentially meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with discussions also focusing on economic investments and broader cooperation.
Potential High-Level Meetings
While no firm plans are in place, Trump administration officials indicated that serious discussions have occurred regarding a bilateral meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping on the sidelines of APEC. This follows an invitation from Xi to Trump and his wife to visit China, which Trump reciprocated, though specific dates remain unconfirmed.
The administration views the trip as an opportunity to secure more economic investments in the United States, a key focus of President Trump’s recent international travel. A White House official stated that a visit to South Korea is being discussed, primarily focusing on economic collaboration, trade, defense, and civil nuclear cooperation.
President Trump’s presence in the region could also facilitate another meeting with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, though Kim’s attendance at APEC is uncertain. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung extended an invitation to Trump last week, suggesting the summit could provide an opening for such a meeting.
Speaking to reporters, Trump expressed willingness to meet Kim, stating, “He’d like to meet with me. We look forward to meeting with him, and we’ll make relations better.” However, officials suggest more attention is currently being placed on organizing a potential meeting with Xi.
Geopolitical Context and Trade Dynamics
The anticipated trip comes amid a complex period in President Trump’s relationships with both Xi and Kim. Recently, Trump publicly criticized a gathering in Beijing where Xi hosted Kim, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite his frequent claims of strong personal ties with these leaders.
On social media, Trump wrote, “May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.” He later shared a photo of the leaders, stating, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China.”
The potential meeting with Xi also occurs as the United States and China continue negotiations over trade. President Trump imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese imports in April, which China reciprocated with a 125% levy on US goods. Trump has since delayed higher US tariffs on Chinese goods from resuming to their peak, allowing ongoing talks to continue.
Furthermore, a recent report from the New York Times concerning an unsuccessful 2019 Navy SEAL mission that resulted in North Korean casualties could strain contact between Trump and Kim. President Trump stated he had no knowledge of the matter, saying, “I don’t know anything about it, no. I could look but I know nothing about it.”
President Trump’s upcoming trip to South Korea for the APEC summit is poised to be a significant diplomatic event, offering potential opportunities for high-stakes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and possibly North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. These discussions are set against a backdrop of intricate trade negotiations and evolving geopolitical relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.
