The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea will be the venue for critical trade talks between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping this Thursday.
President Trump, speaking in Japan as part of his Asia trip, expressed high confidence in the meeting’s outcome. “That’s a big meeting, and I think it’s going to work out very well,” he said.
The meeting is set against a tense backdrop. A recent truce in the trade war ended when China imposed export controls on rare earths, and the US responded with a 100% tariff threat.
This new flare-up, which also includes US port fees on Chinese ships and subsequent countermeasures from Beijing, has raised the stakes for this diplomatic engagement.
Trump, however, remained upbeat, calling the upcoming discussion “fantastic” and “great for everybody,” suggesting a de-escalation is his goal.
The President’s tour of Asia has been multifaceted. While in Japan, he also spoke to US troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingled with business leaders, but the clear focus has been on asserting America’s influence on the global economy.