Overview

• APEC events in Gyeongju are scheduled for late October to early November, following an invitation from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
• U.S. officials describe talks for a Trump–Xi bilateral on the sidelines as serious, though no plans are finalized and no dates are set for reciprocal state visits.
• Officials say the trip’s core focus is economic collaboration, including efforts to attract investment along with discussions on trade, defense and civil nuclear cooperation.
• A potential encounter with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un remains uncertain, with current planning weighted toward arranging a meeting with Xi.
• The diplomacy unfolds as the U.S. maintains a 145% tariff on Chinese imports and China a 125% levy on U.S. goods, with higher rates paused until November and sharp public messaging from Trump toward Xi, Putin and Kim.