Trump Arrives in South Korea for High-Stakes Meetings with Presidents Lee and Xi

South Korea, Oct 29 : US President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for high stakes meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in Gyeongju.
The visit marks Trump’s first trip to Asia in his second term and comes at a critical time, with Washington seeking to stabilise global markets and secure new trade deals after months of tariff tensions. Air Force One landed at Gimhae International Airport in Busan earlier in the day following Trump’s departure from Tokyo.
Focus on Trade Deal with Seoul
Trump will hold his second summit in two months with President Lee later on Wednesday. The two leaders are expected to discuss the pending framework trade deal reached in July, which outlines South Korea’s planned investment of US $350 billion in the US in exchange for reduced reciprocal tariffs.
While Trump recently said the trade pact was “pretty close to being finalised,” President Lee noted that key details—including investment structure, timeline, and profit-sharing remain unresolved. Both sides hope to bridge these gaps during the Gyeongju summit.
Anticipation Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting
Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday will be closely watched globally. It will be their first face-to-face discussion since 2019, amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
China has tightened export controls on rare earth elements crucial to advanced manufacturing, while Trump has threatened to impose an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese imports starting November 1. Analysts say both leaders may seek a limited truce to prevent further economic fallout.
Beyond tariffs, the US-China talks are also expected to address agricultural imports, supply-chain security, and fentanyl trafficking. “When we leave South Korea, I think we’ll end up with a very strong trade deal both of us will be happy,” Trump said last week.
Speculation Over Possible North Korea Outreach
Trump’s visit has also sparked speculation about a potential meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The two met three times during Trump’s first term in Singapore, Hanoi, and Panmunjom but failed to reach a lasting agreement on denuclearisation.
While the North has yet to respond, Trump has signalled his openness to a renewed dialogue, suggesting he might extend his stay in Seoul if progress appears possible.
As Trump embarks on his two day visit, the twin summits with Presidents Lee and Xi are poised to shape the trajectory of regional trade and diplomacy in the months ahead.