Trump may hold bilateral talks with China’s Xi Jinping in South Korea amid tariff battle: Report

US President Donald Trump and his senior advisers are making quiet preparations to visit South Korea in October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers’ meeting, where a potential bilateral discussion with China’s Xi Jinping could take place, reported CNN quoting its sources.

The officials said there have been serious discussions about a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of APEC, but no firm plans are in place. In a phone call last month, Xi invited Trump and his wife to visit China, an invitation the US president reciprocated, though no dates have been set, according to the CNN report.

“A visit to South Korea is being discussed, which would focus on economic collaboration,” a White House official told CNN. Other goals include a focus on discussions around trade, defense and civil nuclear cooperation, the official said.


A potential Trump–Xi encounter would come against the backdrop of escalating trade tensions, with Beijing a prime target of Washington’s tariff strategy. Both sides have been engaged in negotiations, including two in-person rounds in Europe between top economic advisers.

Trump had imposed a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports in April, prompting Beijing to retaliate with a 125 per cent levy on American goods. While those higher rates were set to snap back last month, Trump signed an executive order pausing them until November as talks continue.

The expected trip of Donald Trump to South Korea thus comes at a tenuous time in his relationship with both Xi and Kim.

While feathers were ruffled in Washington over the recently concluded SCO Summit in Tianjin earlier this month, where Xi Jinping had hosted Kim Jong Un, Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Narendra Modi, Trump was quick to criticise the meetings.

"May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America," Trump wrote on social media as the parade was underway.

On Friday, Trump shared a photo of Xi, Putin and Modi, writing: "Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!"

However, on Friday (US local time), Trump expressed optimism towards India.

Calling India-US ties a "very special relationship", United States President Donald Trump affirmed that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would always be friends, asserting that there is "nothing to worry about".

The gesture was taken with good spirits in New Delhi as Prime Minister Modi, on Saturday, responded warmly to US President Donald Trump's affirmation of the India-US ties, saying he "deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates" the US President's sentiments and positive assessment of the bilateral relations.