US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on 30 October. The White House confirmed the meeting, which will take place on the sidelines of a major regional summit.
The encounter has been planned for weeks, but rising tensions between Washington and Beijing almost derailed it. It will be the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office.
Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods in November if Beijing does not relax its export restrictions on rare earth materials.
White House finalizes details for summit meeting
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting on Thursday. It will happen 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 address many doubts and use our tremendous assets together.” He added, “I think something will work out. We have a very good relationship, but this will be a big one.”
Beijing seeks stability in strained relations
China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao said on Friday that he remains hopeful about the upcoming negotiations. He explained that previous talks showed it was “entirely possible to find solutions to each other’s concerns” and “promote healthy, stable, and sustainable economic and trade relations.”
His comments point to Beijing’s desire to ease tensions and rebuild trust with Washington after months of trade friction.
Trump broadens his outreach in Asia
During his visit to South Korea, Trump will also meet President Lee Jae Myung and attend a working dinner with several regional leaders. His trip is part of a wider Asian tour that includes a stop in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit on Sunday.
According to the White House, Trump will also meet leaders from Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, including Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Fragile trade truce under new pressure
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 face-to-face meeting took place in 2019, during Trump’s first term.
Trump believes that direct dialogue with Xi is the best way to address disputes over trade, tariffs, and fentanyl trafficking.
Since May, both countries have upheld a fragile trade truce that prevented a new wave of heavy tariffs.
But Beijing’s decision in October to tighten export controls on rare earth materials reignited economic tension. Trump responded with threats of a 100% tariff on Chinese imports and accused China of acting “very hostile” and trying to hold the world “captive.”
Despite earlier threats to withdraw, Trump chose to proceed with the talks. China remains the world’s leading producer of rare earth elements, which are essential for manufacturing cars, smartphones, and modern technology.
