Trump May Meet China’s Xi in South Korea Next Month Amid Key Trade and Security Talks

Former US President Donald Trump may hold a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea next month, according to a report by CNN. The potential meeting would take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, though no final plans have been confirmed.

Senior White House officials say discussions are ongoing to shape Trump’s itinerary, with the visit framed as a crucial opportunity to engage regional leaders. A bilateral meeting with Xi is seen as especially significant given ongoing trade tensions and security challenges in the Asia-Pacific.

In a phone call last month, Xi invited Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to visit China. Trump reciprocated with an invitation to Washington, though dates remain unconfirmed. Officials have also hinted that Trump’s trip may focus on securing foreign economic investments in the US, echoing themes from his recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung formally invited Trump to attend the APEC summit. The gathering could also open the door for renewed contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though Kim’s attendance is still uncertain. Trump has signaled his willingness to meet Kim again if the opportunity arises.

The timing of the possible Trump–Xi meeting is notable, as it follows a major Beijing summit where Xi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Kim Jong Un. Trump criticized the gathering online, posting a photo of the leaders with the caption: “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China.”

Despite the sharp remarks, Trump later softened his tone, describing the military parade in Beijing as “a beautiful ceremony” and stressing that his personal ties with Xi, Putin, Modi, and Kim remain “very good.”

The potential meeting would also play out against the backdrop of Trump’s escalating trade war with Beijing. Earlier this year, Washington imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports, prompting retaliatory duties of 125% on US goods. Trump delayed a new round of tariffs until November to allow negotiations to continue, raising the stakes for any talks with Xi at APEC.

With both trade and regional security on the line, a Trump–Xi meeting in South Korea could prove pivotal for the future of US–China relations.