US President Donald Trump announced in a Fox News interview on October 17, 2025, that he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for October 31 to November 1 in Gyeongju, South Korea. This meeting will be the first between the two leaders since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. Trump confirmed the meeting will be a separate, bilateral engagement amid the broader multilateral summit.
The announcement follows a period of heightened tensions between the US and China, particularly over trade and export controls. Trump had recently threatened to cancel the meeting and impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1, in response to China's new export restrictions on rare-earth minerals—critical components for both military and commercial technologies. The US president described these Chinese measures as "extraordinarily aggressive" and accused China of unfair trade practices, reiterating his administration's stance that China has "ripped off" America.
Despite the tough rhetoric, Trump softened his tone during the interview, expressing a desire for a "fair deal" with China and praising Xi Jinping as a "very strong leader" with an "amazing story." He emphasized that the US wants to help China rather than hurt it, signaling a willingness to engage diplomatically despite ongoing disputes.
The APEC summit in South Korea is thus set to become a pivotal platform for US-China dialogue. Both leaders are expected to pay state visits to South Korea, with Trump scheduled for a two-day trip starting October 29, including talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The summit gathers Asia-Pacific economies, providing a multilateral backdrop for bilateral discussions.
This meeting comes at a time when US-China relations are strained by trade wars, technology competition, and geopolitical rivalry. The rare-earth export curbs by China have significant implications, as rare earths are essential for manufacturing advanced electronics, defense systems, and renewable energy technologies. China's dominance in this sector—accounting for approximately 60-70% of global rare-earth production—gives it leverage in trade negotiations.
From an economic perspective, the threat of a 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods could disrupt global supply chains and increase costs for US manufacturers and consumers. According to trade data, China accounted for nearly $600 billion in US imports in 2024, with technology and industrial components forming a substantial share. Escalation of tariffs risks slowing US economic growth and increasing inflationary pressures.
Politically, the meeting represents a strategic pivot for the Trump administration, which has adopted a confrontational stance but now appears to seek managed engagement to avoid destabilizing the global economy. The conciliatory remarks by Trump suggest recognition of the interdependence between the two largest economies and the risks of prolonged conflict.
Geopolitically, the summit and the Trump-Xi meeting occur amid broader regional dynamics, including North Korea’s nuclear developments and US-South Korea security cooperation. South Korea’s role as host underscores its strategic importance as a diplomatic bridge in East Asia.
Looking forward, the outcomes of the Trump-Xi meeting could set the tone for US-China relations in 2026. Potential agreements on trade, export controls, and technology cooperation could ease tensions and stabilize markets. Conversely, failure to reach consensus may lead to intensified tariffs, supply chain realignments, and increased geopolitical rivalry.
Market participants and policymakers will closely monitor the summit for signals on tariff policies and bilateral cooperation. The meeting also highlights the importance of multilateral forums like APEC in facilitating dialogue amid complex global challenges.
In summary, the scheduled meeting between President Trump and President Xi at the South Korea APEC summit is a critical event reflecting the complex interplay of trade, technology, and geopolitics shaping US-China relations in 2025. Its success or failure will have profound implications for global economic stability and strategic alignments in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Channel News Asia and Yonhap News Agency, this meeting is a carefully orchestrated diplomatic engagement amid escalating trade tensions, signaling both confrontation and cooperation elements in the current US-China relationship.
