Trump has begun a whirlwind tour of Asia, signaling that he is open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while preparing for major trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One before leaving Washington, Trump said he would not rule out meeting Kim, reigniting speculation about a potential diplomatic encounter between the two leaders. The former US president’s five-day trip will include stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, marking his first visit to the region since returning to office in January. During the tour, Trump will participate in critical economic and security discussions aimed at reshaping relations between the United States and several Asian nations. Trump’s most anticipated meeting is scheduled with Xi Jinping on the final day of his visit. The two are expected to negotiate a deal to ease tensions from the ongoing trade war between the world’s largest economies. Trump told reporters he expects a “very good meeting” and believes China will agree to new trade terms to avoid the 100 percent tariffs set to take effect on November 1.
Trump Open to Kim Jong Un Meeting During High-Stakes Asia Trade Tour
Adding intrigue to the trip, Trump indicated that he would consider meeting Kim Jong Un if circumstances allow. “I would. If you want to put out the word, I’m open to it, he said. “I had a great relationship with him.” It would be their first meeting since 2019, when the two leaders last discussed denuclearization and regional stability. Trump’s remarks come amid North Korea’s continued push to be recognized as a nuclear power. When asked about Pyongyang’s demand, Trump replied, They are sort of a nuclear power. They’ve got a lot of nuclear weapons, I’ll say that. The comment reignited debates about how Washington should engage with Kim’s regime. South Korean officials have hinted there is a “considerable chance the two could meet during Trump’s stay in Seoul. Reports from CNN suggested that preliminary discussions between US and North Korean officials have already taken place, although American diplomats later denied any confirmed plans.https://news71.org/
Trump’s tour begins in Malaysia, where he will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. There he is expected to finalize a trade deal with Malaysia and witness the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia. He will also meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the sidelines to mend recent diplomatic frictions. In Japan, Trump will hold talks with newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female leader. However, the trip’s most closely watched moment will likely be his time in South Korea, where he will meet Xi at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The two leaders are expected to discuss not only trade but also tensions surrounding Taiwan, Russia’s alliance with China, and the imprisonment of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai.
As Trump embarks on his Asia tour, global markets and political observers are watching closely to see whether his meetings can ease trade tensions and potentially revive talks with Kim Jong Un, a move that could redefine US engagement in the region.
