U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on October 30, marking their first in-person meeting since Trump’s return to office. The bilateral discussion, set on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, aims to address escalating trade tensions and key disputes between the world’s two largest economies.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the meeting on Thursday, ending weeks of speculation that had been clouded by recent trade escalations. Trump described the scheduled encounter as “long” and expressed optimism about resolving doubts and questions, highlighting his “very good relationship” with Xi. This meeting is part of Trump’s broader Asia trip, which includes stops in Japan and Malaysia for other summits, underscoring the strategic importance of the region in U.S. foreign policy.
Tensions between the United States and China have intensified in recent months, centered on trade, technology, and geopolitical concerns. A fragile trade ceasefire brokered in May is set to expire on November 10, with Trump threatening additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods if China does not roll back its tightened export controls on rare earth minerals. In early October, China expanded restrictions on rare earth exports, prompting Trump to accuse Beijing of hostility and consider canceling the meeting, raising the stakes for the upcoming dialogue.
The agenda for the Trump-Xi meeting includes several contentious topics, such as tariffs, rare earths, fentanyl trafficking, agricultural purchases, and Taiwan. Trump has emphasized rare earths and soybeans as priority areas, while China has focused on technology curbs and investment. Both sides hold significant leverage; China dominates rare earth production essential for electronics, and the U.S. controls market access, making concessions necessary to avoid further economic damage and global market disruptions.
Analysts describe the meeting as “high-risk, high-reward,” with potential to de-escalate tensions or lead to further confrontation. Han Shen Lin of The Asia Group suggested that both leaders might aim to “hit the reset button” on the relationship without making major concessions. The confirmation of the meeting signals an intent to negotiate, but deep structural disputes over issues like technology and trade imbalances remain unresolved, and failure to reach an agreement could trigger imposed tariffs and worsen the trade war.
Beyond the meeting, trade negotiations are ongoing, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent scheduled to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia to discuss economic issues. The Trump administration is also considering a trade investigation into China’s compliance with previous agreements, which could lead to more tariffs. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed optimism, stating that past talks show solutions are possible, and the outcome will likely set the tone for future engagements and a potential trade deal in early 2026.
The encounter occurs against the backdrop of China’s new five-year plan emphasizing technological self-reliance and reduced dependence on the U.S., while Trump’s Asia tour includes meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. This diplomatic push highlights how both superpowers are navigating complex global challenges, from economic competition to security concerns, with implications for international stability and cooperation.