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A major trip to Asia is planned for this week, drawing attention to a key meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that could have far-reaching effects on the global economy. President Donald Trump announced he’s embarking on a “big trip” to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea—marking his first visit to the region since returning to the White House amid the ongoing trade tensions and geopolitical posturing.
Details about the trip remain sparse. The White House hasn’t released many specifics, and Trump has indicated that a scheduled meeting with Xi in South Korea might not happen due to existing tensions. Nevertheless, Trump has expressed his desire to negotiate with China for a favorable agreement to put an end to the contentious trade war that has unsettled markets worldwide.
Host countries are preparing to warmly welcome Trump to secure advantageous deals on tariffs and security support, aiming to stay on his good side despite the unpredictable nature of his diplomacy.
Malaysia and Japan
The journey begins in Malaysia on October 26-28, where the ASEAN summit is held—a forum Trump notably skipped multiple times during his first term. He is expected to finalize a trade deal with Malaysia and, more significantly, to oversee the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, as part of his diplomatic efforts relevant to his bid for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted President Trump’s interest in fostering positive progress from negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that Trump might meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the summit to revisit bilateral relations after a period of friction.
Following Malaysia, Trump is expected to head to Tokyo, where he might meet with Japan’s newly appointed first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. While Japan has largely avoided the worst of Trump’s tariffs aimed at addressing what he describes as unfair international trade practices, he also seeks Japan’s cooperation in halting Russian energy imports and has encouraged increased defense spending aligned with Western allies.
Xi Jinping in South Korea?
The climax of his tour likely occurs in South Korea, set for October 29 during the APEC summit, where Trump could potentially hold another meeting with Xi. This would be their first encounter since Trump’s return to office—an opportunity that could help ease tensions over the ongoing trade disputes and China’s rare earth exports, which have caused frustrations in Washington.
Though Trump initially threatened to cancel the meeting and introduced new tariffs, he later decided to proceed but still expressed uncertainty about whether it would happen. He aims to strike a deal with Xi on multiple issues, including encouraging Beijing’s influence on Vladimir Putin to cease Russia’s involvement in Ukraine. Experts caution that significant breakthroughs should not be expected, viewing the potential meeting more as a data point than a turning point in U.S.-China relations.
South Korea, eager for its own trade agreements, is contemplated to honor Trump with its highest civilian award—the Grand Order of Mugunghwa—during his visit. The trip also includes heightened focus on North Korea, which conducted missile tests just days before Trump’s arrival. While Trump has expressed interest in reconnecting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un following previous talks, there’s no confirmation that a new meeting is on the horizon, especially given recent missile launches.
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