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\u2019s main goal: reaching a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to end the bruising trade war between the world\u2019s two largest economies.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cpeace through strength\u201d diplomacy.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he was open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his trip. \u201cI had a great relationship with him \u2014 I\u2019m open to it,\u201d he said, adding that Pyongyang \u201cis essentially a nuclear power\u201d and that \u201cthey have a lot of nuclear weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officials in Seoul have said there is a \u201cconsiderable possibility\u201d of a Trump\u2013Kim meeting while the US president is in South Korea for the APEC Summit.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cvery good meeting,\u201d expressing confidence that Beijing would make a deal to avoid additional 100 percent tariffs due to take effect on November 1.<\/p>\n
The US president will also raise the issue of fentanyl trafficking and discuss global efforts to curb drug cartels operating in Latin America.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s second stop will be Tokyo, where he will meet Sanae Takaichi, Japan\u2019s first female prime minister. The two leaders are expected to discuss regional security and trade ties.<\/p>\n