Washington, September 7(HS):

US President Donald Trump is weighing a potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea this October, according to administration officials cited by CNN. Preparations are quietly underway for Trump’s expected visit to Gyeongju for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, though no final decision on a bilateral summit has been confirmed.

The summit, scheduled between late October and early November, is seen as a prime chance for direct talks between Trump and Xi amid heightened tensions over trade, tariffs, and China’s growing global alignments. Officials said discussions at the sidelines could focus on economic collaboration, defence, and nuclear cooperation, with Trump also seeking expanded foreign investment into the US.

The trip may also open the door for renewed engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who invited Trump to attend APEC, suggested the venue could host both Xi and Kim. Trump has publicly signaled his willingness to meet Kim, calling the prospect a path to make relations better.

The developments come against the backdrop of Xi recently hosting Putin, Kim, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Beijing during a military parade which Trump sharply criticised online, suggesting Beijing was consolidating power with Moscow and New Delhi.

At the same time, Washington and Beijing remain locked in trade negotiations after months of tariff escalations. Trump’s administration imposed tariffs as high as 145 percent on Chinese imports, met by retaliatory measures from Beijing. Though he has temporarily paused increases until November, the outcome of ongoing talks could hinge on a possible meeting with Xi during the South Korea summit.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar