Washington (Parliament Politics Magazine) – US President Donald Trump says he is open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his Asia tour and will hold trade talks with China’s Xi Jinping.
As reported by The Guardian, Donald Trump has started an Asia tour, where he will engage in high-stakes trade discussions with Chinese President Xi and indicated his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Leaving Washington on Friday night, 24 October, he begins a five-day tour of Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, marking his first visit to the region since taking office in January.
On the last day of his trip, President Trump will meet Xi Jinping to negotiate a deal to end the long-running trade war between the US and China.
How did Donald Trump respond to speculation about a North Korea meeting?
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Donald Trump expressed hope for a “very good meeting” with Chinese President Xi and expects China to reach an agreement to prevent new 100% tariffs on 1 November.
He intensified speculation that he might meet Kim Jong-un on the Korean peninsula for the first time since 2019.
Mr Trump said,
“I would. If you want to put out the word, I’m open to it. I had a great relationship with him.”
President Trump’s first stop is Malaysia, where he will arrive Sunday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
During his visit, he will sign a trade deal with Malaysia and attend the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia.
Mr Trump also indicated his plans to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the summit to improve relations after months of tension. He will travel to Tokyo to meet Sanae Takaichi, the newly appointed first female prime minister of Japan.
President Trump’s trip to South Korea is expected to be the highlight, attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and meeting Chinese leader Xi for the first time since returning to office.
How might Donald Trump and Xi Jinping resolve the US-China trade war?
Investors will be watching whether Donald Trump and Xi Jinping can end the trade war triggered by President Trump’s tariffs, following recent restrictions on rare earth exports.
During the trade row, President Trump initially called off the meeting and introduced new 100% tariffs, but later confirmed the talks would continue.
An interim agreement could offer limited tariff relief, extend current rates, or see China commit to buying US-made soybeans and Boeing planes, following a 2020 deal it failed to honor.
The leaders are expected to address Taiwan and Russia, which is now under expanded US sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
Mr Trump said,
“I’d like China to help us out with Russia. I’d like to see China help us out.”
President Trump also suggested he may raise the case of Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, who is serving a prison sentence in Hong Kong under Beijing-imposed national security laws.
He added,
“It’s on my list. I’m going to ask … We’ll see what happens.”
What did Kim Jong-un say about meeting Donald Trump?
Kim Jong-un indicated he would be open to meeting the US president if Washington drops its demand for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal. Both leaders met three times during Mr Trump’s first term.
South Korea’s reunification minister said there is a “considerable” chance of a Trump-Kim meeting while the US leader is in the country, according to CNN, citing anonymous sources.
What did Volodymyr Zelensky urge Donald Trump to do on Russian oil?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Washington to extend sanctions to all Russian oil firms and requested long-range missiles to counter Russia.
He visited London for talks with around two dozen European leaders, who pledged military aid to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks if a ceasefire holds.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted the talks to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, reinforcing recent sanctions from the US and Europe on Russia’s oil and gas exports.
Mr Zelensky said,
“We have to apply pressure not only to Rosneft and Lukoil, but to all Russian oil companies.”
He added,
“Besides, we are carrying out our own campaign of pressure with drones and missiles specifically targeting the Russian oil sector.”
Why was the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin called off?
The planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was called off due to the diplomatic impasse.
The US, Ukraine, and European allies supported a peace plan to freeze the war along the current battle lines. Russia repeatedly rejected this, insisting on its maximalist demands, which included Ukraine abandoning its goal of joining NATO and effectively recognizing Russian sovereignty over occupied territories.
President Trump said he canceled the summit because he did not want a “wasted meeting” or a “waste of time.”
After calling off the meeting with the Russian president, Mr Trump begins his Asia trip, where he will engage in trade negotiations with North Korea and China.
