Trump to embark on Asia tour; key meeting with Xi Jinping set in South Korea

Washington, Oct 2025 : US President Donald Trump is set to embark on a major tour of Asia this week, with the highlight being a high-stakes meeting with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in South Korea on October 30.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday that the meeting would take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Trump’s itinerary also includes stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, with the focus on trade, peace efforts, and easing tensions with China.

Leavitt said the trip underscores President Trump’s “commitment to revitalizing American leadership in Asia” through diplomacy and trade partnerships.

Stops in Malaysia and the ASEAN Summit

Trump will depart Washington on Friday and arrive in Malaysia on Sunday to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit — a meeting he skipped several times during his first term.

During the visit, Trump is expected to sign a bilateral trade agreement with Malaysia and oversee the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia, in what the White House described as “a milestone for regional stability.”

“President Trump is keen to see positive results from the peace negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia,” Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, calling the accord “a diplomatic success that can transform Southeast Asia’s future.”

Observers say the move reflects Trump’s continued quest for a Nobel Peace Prize, with aides describing his push to mediate regional disputes as part of his broader “peace-through-strength” strategy.

Historic Meeting in Tokyo

Trump will travel next to Tokyo on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who assumed office earlier this week.

The discussions are expected to centre on defence cooperation, semiconductor supply chains, and regional security, including growing tensions in the South China Sea.

Japan, Leavitt noted, “has managed to maintain strong economic ties with the United States despite earlier trade frictions,” and remains a “key pillar of the Indo-Pacific alliance.”

Trump is also expected to reaffirm his commitment to the US-Japan Security Treaty and discuss a potential bilateral free trade update to address tariff issues that persisted during his first term.

Climactic Talks in South Korea

The final and most closely watched leg of Trump’s trip will be in South Korea, where he will arrive in the southern port city of Busan on Wednesday, before heading to Gyeongju for the APEC summit.

According to the White House, Trump will meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, address an APEC business luncheon, and dine with US tech industry leaders to discuss supply-chain resilience and emerging technologies.

The following day, Trump will hold a crucial meeting with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping — their first since Trump returned to office.

Global markets are expected to watch the talks closely, as both leaders seek to defuse escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies following a recent spat over Beijing’s rare-earth export curbs.

Trump had earlier threatened to cancel the meeting and impose new tariffs on Chinese goods but later confirmed he would attend, saying he hoped to strike a “deal on everything.”

“I’m optimistic that we can make progress not just on trade, but also on regional peace and security,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday. He also said he hoped Xi could use his influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the Ukraine war.

Awards and North Korea on the Agenda

Reports suggest that South Korea may bestow on Trump the Grand Order of Mugunghwa — the country’s highest civilian honour — in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, North Korea has again come into focus after firing multiple ballistic missiles on Wednesday, just days before Trump’s arrival.

In response, South Korea has suspended tours in parts of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), sparking speculation that another meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could be on the cards.

Trump has expressed willingness to meet Kim again, following their earlier summits during his first term, though the White House has not confirmed any such plan.