Overview

• President Donald Trump reaffirmed he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea in late October, with APEC scheduled in Gyeongju on Oct. 31–Nov. 1.
• Trump has threatened new trade actions on Nov. 1, including an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods and export controls on critical software.
• U.S. officials have privately discussed arranging a Trump–Kim Jong-un meeting during the Asia trip, but there has been no serious logistical planning or direct contact with Pyongyang, and an earlier letter went unanswered.
• South Korea’s ambassador to the United States said there is no sign yet that a Trump–Kim meeting will materialize around APEC, even as Seoul keeps the option open.
• Analysts in Seoul say a surprise Trump–Kim encounter is unlikely given North Korea’s tougher stance and closer alignment with China and Russia, while a Seoul think tank urges Korea to use APEC to ease U.S.–China frictions.