President Trump Wraps Up Five-Day Asia Tour With Key Trade Talks in South Korea and China
GYEONGJU, South Korea ( October 29, 2025) — U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up the final leg of his five-day Asia tour on Wednesday with high-stakes meetings in South Korea, focusing on trade, tariffs, and regional security.
Trump’s visit to Gyeongju, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit is being held, marks his final stop before Thursday’s anticipated talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan.
The meetings come amid renewed tensions following North Korea’s test of a nuclear-capable cruise missile just hours before Trump’s arrival from Tokyo. Despite the provocation, Trump downplayed the test, saying his focus remains on finalizing trade and tariff negotiations with China.
“I think we’re going to have a very good outcome for our country and for the world,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, expressing optimism about a potential U.S.–China trade truce.
Trump Eyes Tariff Cuts in Exchange for China’s Fentanyl Crackdown
Trump revealed he expects to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing’s efforts to curb exports of fentanyl precursor chemicals, a leading cause of opioid-related deaths in the United States.
According to reports, Washington could halve current tariffs of 20% on Chinese imports if Beijing follows through on enforcement actions. China’s foreign ministry said the upcoming meeting would “inject new momentum into the development of U.S.–China relations” and reaffirmed its readiness to work toward “positive outcomes.”
The talks with Xi are also expected to touch on high-tech trade restrictions, including sales of Nvidia’s advanced Blackwell AI chips, and potentially, Taiwan, though Trump said he is unsure if that topic will arise.
South Korea Trade Negotiations Remain Stalled
In Gyeongju, Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, discussing stalled negotiations on a major U.S.–South Korea trade deal first unveiled in July. The agreement, which would see Seoul invest $350 billion in the United States, has been delayed due to disagreements over funding structure and timelines.
Despite the impasse, Trump told business leaders at the APEC CEO Summit that the deal would be finalized “very soon.”
During the meeting, President Lee presented Trump with South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, along with a ceremonial gold crown. Trump quipped, “I’d like to wear it right now,” as he thanked Lee for the gesture.
At a working lunch featuring a “golden dessert,” Lee pledged to increase defense spending and requested U.S. approval to reprocess nuclear fuel for submarine power, a move currently restricted by bilateral agreements.
Trump reaffirmed his support for strengthening South Korea’s defense posture, saying he would help “straighten out” the country’s challenges with its northern neighbor.
Focus on Regional Security and Economic Stability
Trump’s Asia tour has blended economic diplomacy and security assurances, with Washington pushing allies to contribute more toward regional defense while offering tariff relief in exchange for major investments.
The U.S. president’s first two stops — Malaysia and Japan — yielded several trade and defense commitments. In Tokyo, Trump signed agreements with Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on rare earth supply chains and strategic U.S. investments worth over $550 billion.
South Korea has faced pressure to match Japan’s commitments, though Seoul has sought phased investments rather than the full $350 billion upfront.
U.S.–China Trade Thaw Lifts Global Markets
Ahead of the Trump–Xi summit, negotiators from both sides agreed on a framework to pause new tariffs and ease Chinese rare earth export controls, according to U.S. officials. The news pushed global stock markets to record highs on optimism for renewed economic cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
In a sign of easing tensions, China resumed purchases of U.S. soybeans for the first time in months — a key win for Trump’s rural voter base.
Final Stop of a High-Stakes Tour
Trump’s Asia tour has underscored his focus on “America First” trade diplomacy, seeking to rebalance economic ties while bolstering U.S. influence in the Indo-Pacific.
From securing investment pledges in Japan to mediating regional disputes in Malaysia and addressing security challenges in Korea, the trip has blended symbolism and strategy as Trump prepares for pivotal negotiations with Xi.
The president is set to depart for Washington on Thursday following his meeting with the Chinese leader — one that could define the next phase of U.S.–China relations and the global economic landscape heading into 2026.
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