Trump is secretly planning a trip to South Korea in a bid to meet China’s Xi at Apec Summit: Report

Amid geopolitical uncertainties, reports are emerging that US President Donald Trump and his top advisers are quietly preparing to travel to South Korea next month, where Trump is likely to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Three officials from the Trump administration told CNN that the American leader will be attending the gathering of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers.

The summit is slated to be held in the city of Gyeongju between late October and early November. Within Trump’s inner circle, the event is seen as a key opportunity for Trump to meet his Chinese counterpart. Officials, who asked to remain anonymous, told CNN that there have been serious discussions between the two nations about a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of APEC. However, no firm plans have been made as of now.

Last month, in a phone call with Trump, the Chinese leader invited the Republican firebrand and his wife to visit China. The invitation was reciprocated by Trump; however, no dates have been set as of now. While the details of the trip are being finalised, it remains unclear whether Trump may add another stop on the trip.

Trump hopes to boost investment

The officials maintained that Trump is looking at the trip to South Korea as an opportunity for the president to clinch more economic investments for the US. “A visit to South Korea is being discussed, which would focus on economic collaboration,” a White House official told CNN. Other goals include a focus on discussions around trade, defence and civil nuclear cooperation, the official averred.

Trump’s visit to South Korea might also give him an opportunity to meet North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. However, officials made it clear that currently, more attention is being paid to Trump’s meeting with Xi.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung invited Trump to attend the APEC summit while meeting with him last week and suggested the setting could provide Trump with an opportunity to meet with Kim, sources close to the talks told CNN.

“I will do that, and we’ll have talks. He’d like to meet with me,” Trump claimed of the North Korean leader. “We look forward to meeting with him, and we’ll make relations better.” Earlier this month, Xi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kim and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump was quick to criticise the gathering despite his frequent proclamations that he has strong personal ties with each of the leaders.

“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America,” Trump wrote on social media as the parade in China was underway.

On Friday, Trump shared a photo of Xi, Putin and Modi, writing: “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!”. Hence, it will be interesting to see how Trump’s meeting with Xi would pan out.