Seoul: U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed plans for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea within the next couple of weeks, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to begin later this month. In a recent interview with Fox Business, Trump revealed that the meeting with Xi is a separate engagement, amidst escalating trade tensions following China's decision to enforce stricter export controls on rare earth materials.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump had previously threatened to cancel the meeting, expressing discontent with China's export control measures. He also announced the imposition of an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods, effective November 1, along with export controls on critical software. However, during the interview, Trump appeared to soften his stance on the tariffs, suggesting that while the situation is not sustainable, a resolution with China is likely.
Despite the tensions, Trump spoke positively of Xi, describing him as a strong leader with an "amazing story." He emphasized the need for a fair trade deal with China, reiterating his longstanding accusation that China has taken advantage of the United States economically.
Diplomatic sources in Seoul indicated that both Trump and Xi are expected to make state visits to South Korea for the APEC summit, which will be held in Gyeongju on October 31 and November 1. Trump's itinerary includes a two-day visit starting October 29, during which he is expected to hold summit talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.