President Donald Trump began his Asia tour in Malaysia, where he is set to attend the ASEAN Summit before continuing to Japan and South Korea. The trip’s main goal: reaching a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to end the bruising trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
While in Malaysia, Trump is expected to sign a new trade agreement and witness a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia, as part of what he calls his “peace through strength” diplomacy.
Trump open to meeting Kim Jong-un
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he was open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his trip. “I had a great relationship with him — I’m open to it,” he said, adding that Pyongyang “is essentially a nuclear power” and that “they have a lot of nuclear weapons.”
Officials in Seoul have said there is a “considerable possibility” of a Trump–Kim meeting while the US president is in South Korea for the APEC Summit.
China talks to take place in South Korea
The most anticipated meeting of the tour will take place in Busan, South Korea, where Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet on Thursday.
The leaders are expected to discuss ways to end the ongoing trade war, which escalated earlier this year after Washington imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump said he hopes for a “very good meeting,” expressing confidence that Beijing would make a deal to avoid additional 100 percent tariffs due to take effect on November 1.
The US president will also raise the issue of fentanyl trafficking and discuss global efforts to curb drug cartels operating in Latin America.
First meeting with Japan’s new prime minister
Trump’s second stop will be Tokyo, where he will meet Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister. The two leaders are expected to discuss regional security and trade ties.
“I’ve heard great things about her,” Trump said, calling Takaichi a “strong conservative” and praising her ties to the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Takaichi wrote on social media that she had a “good and candid conversation” with Trump ahead of his arrival, adding, “Together with him, I’m determined to elevate the Japan-US alliance to new heights.”
Stop in Qatar for Gaza peace talks
En route to Asia, Trump made an unscheduled stop in Qatar, where he met the Emir and Prime Minister at Al Udeid Air Base. Discussions focused on maintaining the fragile Gaza ceasefire, with Qatar continuing to serve as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, alongside the US, Egypt, and Turkey.
A crucial diplomatic tour
Trump’s 2025 Asia tour marks a critical moment in his presidency — combining economic diplomacy with high-stakes security talks. From easing tensions with China to rekindling dialogue with North Korea, the trip could reshape Washington’s influence across the region.
