Overview
- Trump will meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday and hold a bilateral with China’s Xi Jinping on Thursday morning after addressing the APEC CEO Summit, the White House said.
- APEC foreign and trade ministers convene Wednesday–Thursday ahead of the two‑day leaders’ summit starting Friday, with host South Korea steering talks on supply chains, digital cooperation and trade.
- Seoul and Washington remain far apart on implementing South Korea’s US$350 billion investment pledge tied to U.S. tariff cuts, with Korean officials warning time is short but saying talks will continue up to the summit.
- Trade tensions provide the backdrop after China expanded rare‑earth export controls and U.S. officials threatened higher tariffs, while reporting indicates USTR may soon open a Section 301 probe that could raise duties further.
- Trump has signaled he will press Xi on fentanyl as well as tariffs and technology restrictions during their first in‑person meeting since 2019; his Asia trip also includes stops in Malaysia and Japan.