Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Sep 7: US President Donald Trump and his top advisers are reportedly preparing for a potential visit to South Korea in late October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, CNN reported on Saturday, citing Trump administration officials. The trip could include high-profile meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and possibly North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Officials confirmed that discussions about a bilateral meeting with Xi are ongoing, though no final plans have been set. The summit in Gyeongju is viewed as a strategic platform for Trump to advance US economic interests, including trade, defence, and civil nuclear cooperation.
“An APEC visit to South Korea is being discussed, which would focus on economic collaboration,” a White House official told CNN. Other potential goals include securing investments and strengthening regional relations.
Trump has expressed willingness to meet Kim Jong Un if the North Korean leader attends the summit. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung invited Trump and suggested the APEC setting could facilitate discussions with Kim. “I will do that, and we'll have talks. He'd like to meet with me,” Trump said, adding that he aims to improve relations.
The prospective trip comes amid heightened tensions with both Beijing and Pyongyang. Earlier this week, Xi hosted Kim, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Beijing during a military parade, which Trump publicly criticised as a show of alignment against the US.
Economic diplomacy remains a key focus of Trump’s trip. The President has paused the planned increase of US tariffs on Chinese goods until November amid ongoing negotiations, including two in-person meetings of top economic advisers in Europe. Trump’s previous tariffs imposed a 145% levy on Chinese imports in April, with China retaliating at 125%.
The APEC summit could thus offer Trump a platform to engage on trade, cement economic ties, and potentially secure a meeting with Xi — a high-stakes encounter as Washington and Beijing continue their complex trade negotiations.