US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on 30 October. The White House confirmed the meeting, which will take place on the sidelines of a key Asian summit.
The two governments have prepared the encounter for weeks, but rising tensions between Washington and Beijing almost derailed it. This will be their first face-to-face discussion since Trump returned to the presidency.
Trump recently warned he would impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods in November if Beijing does not ease restrictions on rare earth exports.
White House confirms the long-awaited talks
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting during a Thursday briefing. It will take place during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (Apec) in Gyeongju, South Korea, from 31 October to 1 November.
Trump said earlier, “I’ll be meeting with President Xi of China. We have a long meeting planned. We can solve a lot of doubts and build on our tremendous strengths together.” He added, “I think something will work out. We have a very good relationship, but this will be a big one.”
Beijing hopes to ease tensions
China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao expressed optimism on Friday about the planned meeting. He said earlier rounds of dialogue showed it was “entirely possible to find solutions to each other’s concerns” and “promote healthy, stable, and sustainable economic and trade relations.”
His statement suggests that China wants to reduce friction and stabilize relations with Washington.
Trump’s Asia visit includes key allies
During his stay in South Korea, Trump will also meet President Lee Jae Myung and attend a working dinner with regional leaders. His Asia trip includes a stop in Malaysia on Sunday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.
The White House said Trump will also hold talks with leaders from Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, including Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Trade peace remains fragile
Trump and Xi have already spoken three times this year, most recently in September, when they discussed TikTok’s operations in the United States. Their last in-person meeting was in 2019 during Trump’s first term.
Trump believes direct talks with Xi are the best way to address disputes over trade, tariffs, and fentanyl trafficking.
Since May, both countries have maintained a fragile trade truce that prevented another wave of heavy tariffs.
However, Beijing’s recent tightening of export rules on rare earth materials reignited tensions. Trump responded by threatening a 100% tariff on Chinese imports and accused China of trying to hold the world “captive” and acting “very hostile.”
Despite briefly considering canceling, Trump decided to proceed with the talks. China remains the world’s top producer of rare earth elements, vital for cars, smartphones, and modern technology.
