- Trump plans to attend APEC summit in South Korea this October.
- Possible meetings with Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un under discussion.
- Focus on boosting US economic investments and trade cooperation.
US President Donald Trump is preparing to visit South Korea in October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, according to insiders in his administration.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the event is expected to take place in the historic city of Gyeongju between late October and early November.
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Although plans are still being finalised, there is growing anticipation that Trump could hold a side meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While nothing has been confirmed yet, discussions about the bilateral meeting are ongoing. Last month, the two leaders spoke on the phone and extended mutual invitations to visit each other’s countries, though no travel dates have been set.
Top government sources say the trip is also being viewed as a chance to secure further economic investments in the United States. Trump has made foreign investment a major theme in his international trips, including recent visits to the Middle East.
A White House official noted that the visit is “being considered as a platform to enhance economic cooperation.” He added that areas such as trade, defence, and civil nuclear partnerships will be key topics of discussion.
There’s also speculation that Trump could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the visit, though officials say attention is currently more focused on arranging talks with President Xi. The potential for a Trump-Kim meeting has not been ruled out.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who recently met with Trump, extended an official invitation to the former US leader for the summit. He reportedly suggested that the APEC event could provide an opportunity for renewed dialogue between Trump and Kim.
Speaking to journalists, Trump confirmed he is open to meeting the North Korean leader. “I’m ready to meet him,” Trump said. “He’s interested in talking, and I believe we can make progress.”
However, the visit comes at a time of tension in Trump’s relationships with both Xi and Kim. This week, President Xi hosted Kim, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a high-profile event in Beijing that featured a military parade. Trump responded critically to the gathering online.
In a social media post, Trump wrote: “Wishing President Xi and the people of China a memorable celebration. Kindly send my greetings to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you hold your meetings aimed at countering the United States.”
