BUSAN, South Korea — US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 30 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Busan, South Korea, the White House confirmed on Thursday.
The high-stakes bilateral talks will be the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since the 2019 G20 Summit in Japan and come as Washington prepares to impose record-high tariffs on Chinese imports.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the schedule: “On Thursday morning local time, President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with President Xi of the People’s Republic of China, before departing to return home.”
Agenda Dominated by Tariffs and Fentanyl
The talks are set against a backdrop of severely escalating trade tensions. The US administration is threatening to impose a new 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, which is “over and above” existing duties, just days after the summit. Washington’s overall tariff rate on some Chinese imports is already nearing 145 per cent, with a looming threat of the tariff reaching 157 per cent on November 1.
President Trump has made it clear that fentanyl will be the first item on the agenda.
“The first question I’m going to be asking him about is fentanyl,” Trump told reporters, accusing China of profiting from the drug’s entry into the US and noting the heavy financial penalties they face from existing duties.
Asia Tour Schedule
The meeting with Xi will conclude President Trump’s week-long Asia tour. Leavitt outlined the travel plans, confirming Trump will first fly to Malaysia, where he will arrive on Sunday morning, followed by meetings with the leaders of Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea before heading to Busan.
Senior US officials noted that the conversation will be “crucial” as the world’s two largest economies stand at the brink of another full-blown trade war. The outcome of the talks is expected to determine whether a temporary 90-day trade truce, which is set to expire on November 10, will be extended. Trump has also stated he expects “agreements on everything from trade to nuclear power,” and discussions on China’s purchases of Russian oil are also anticipated.
