<a title="US Trump" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/international/trump-says-india-russia-aligning-with-china/18858" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US</a> President Donald Trump and his top advisers are quietly preparing to travel to South Korea in October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers&rsquo; summit, where he may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, CNN reported citing administration officials.
Officials said on Saturday that serious discussions are under way regarding a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of APEC, though no firm plans have yet been finalised.
The summit, to be held in the city of Gyeongju between late October and early November, is seen as a key opportunity for Trump to engage with President Xi.
In a phone call last month, Xi invited Trump and his wife to visit China, an invitation reciprocated by the US President, although no dates have been set.
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Trump&rsquo;s South Korea visit is expected to focus on economic collaboration, trade, defence, and civil nuclear cooperation, officials noted. They also said Trump aims to secure additional foreign investments in the United States, a recurring theme of his overseas trips, including those to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The trip may also raise the possibility of Trump meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though Kim&rsquo;s participation remains uncertain. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung recently invited Trump to the APEC summit, suggesting it could provide such an opportunity.
Trump told reporters on Saturday he was open to meeting Kim: &ldquo;I will do that, and we&rsquo;ll have talks. He&rsquo;d like to meet with me. We look forward to meeting with him, and we&rsquo;ll make relations better.&rdquo;
ALSO READ: https://www.benefitnews24.com/international/modi-trump-friendship-amid-tariff-tensions/18904
The visit comes at a delicate time in Trump&rsquo;s relations with both Xi and Kim. Xi this week hosted Kim, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Beijing during a military parade &mdash; a show of China&rsquo;s arms capabilities. Trump criticised the gathering even while insisting he maintains strong personal ties with the leaders.
On social media, he wrote: &ldquo;May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.&rdquo;
Trump later posted a photograph of Xi, Putin, and Modi, commenting: &ldquo;Looks like we&rsquo;ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!&rdquo;
The potential Xi-Trump meeting also coincides with renewed trade tensions. Trump&rsquo;s tariffs on Chinese goods &mdash; initially set at 145 per cent in April &mdash; sparked retaliation with 125 per cent levies on US exports. Though tariffs were due to snap back last month, Trump signed an executive order pausing them until November as negotiations continue.
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[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
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Trump may meet Xi in Gyeongju APEC, amid tariffs, Kim Jong Un and defence talks

Trump eyes Xi meet at South Korea APEC summit

Trump may meet Xi in Gyeongju APEC, amid tariffs, Kim Jong Un and defence talks

September 7, 2025 | 14:45 IST