Donald Trump is preparing to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju next month, CNN reported on the 6th (local time).
According to the report, Trump's visit is being quietly coordinated, and the final details have not yet been confirmed. It is also uncertain whether other countries will be added to this trip.
If Trump’s visit to Korea is realized, the possibility of a separate meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is being discussed. The possibility of a reunion with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un is also drawing attention.
Earlier, President Xi officially invited President Trump to visit China, and Trump responded positively, but a specific schedule has not been set.
A White House official said, “The focus of the discussions for President Trump’s visit is economic cooperation,” adding, “Trade, security, and civilian nuclear cooperation may be on the agenda.”
Trump recently expressed his desire for a meeting, saying, “Chairman Kim wants to meet me.” It is also known that President Lee Jae-myung hinted at the possibility of using the APEC meeting as an opportunity for an inter-Korean summit during his meeting with President Trump.
However, a meeting between Trump and Xi has the variable of trade conflict between the two countries. The Trump administration imposed a high tariff of 145% on Chinese imports in April, and China retaliated with a 125% retaliatory tariff on US products. The two countries are continuing negotiations and have suspended additional increases until November.
Meanwhile, at a recent military parade in Beijing, President Xi invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman Kim. President Trump has previously expressed his displeasure about this.
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