Gyeongju, South Korea — U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly unlikely to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Summit slated for October 31 in Gyeongju, despite his planned visit to the South Korean host city.
According to government officials in Seoul, diplomatic preparations are based on the assumption that President Trump will arrive on October 29 to attend the APEC CEO Summit, a forum expected to draw prominent figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The primary focus of his abbreviated stopover appears to be the business community and high-level geopolitics.
The centerpiece of his visit is a confirmed "pull-aside" bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Following the meeting, President Trump is expected to depart South Korea before the Leaders' Summit, with observers speculating he may need to return home by November 2.
His visit follows a tight Asia tour schedule, which includes the ASEAN Summit (Oct. 26-28) and a stop in Japan on October 27 for talks with the country's newly selected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi.
Trump’s truncated schedule is raising concerns in Seoul, as it effectively limits opportunities for a comprehensive summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and jeopardizes progress on crucial tariff negotiations. South Korea had hoped to use the APEC visit to resolve a deadlock over a U.S. demand for a $350 billion investment fund.
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