Trump and Xi Consider Meeting Ahead of APEC Summit in South Korea

US President Donald Trump may meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping either prior to or during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2023, in South Korea. This information was reported by the South China Morning Post on July 20, 2023, citing multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

The prospect of this meeting comes amid ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving a protracted tariff conflict between the two nations. Both countries have been engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff war that has significantly disrupted global trade and supply chains. While discussions regarding a potential meeting have taken place, neither party has confirmed an exact date or location for the anticipated talks.

Trump’s administration has proposed tariffs on nearly all imported goods, a move the President argues will boost domestic manufacturing. Critics, however, contend that these tariffs will lead to increased prices for American consumers. Trump has suggested implementing a universal base tariff rate of 10 percent on imports from all nations, with higher rates for certain countries, particularly China, which currently faces an elevated tariff rate of 55 percent.

A deadline of August 12, 2023, has been set for the United States and China to reach a sustainable agreement regarding tariffs. Despite the ongoing tensions, a spokesperson for Trump did not provide comments regarding the reported plans for a meeting with Xi in the autumn.

On July 11, 2023, high-level discussions between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi took place in Malaysia. Both officials described the meeting as productive and positive, focusing on how trade negotiations should advance. Rubio noted that Trump had received an invitation to visit China for discussions with Xi, expressing optimism that both leaders “want it to happen.”

In a related statement, China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao emphasized the need to restore stability in US-China trade relations. He pointed to recent discussions in Europe as evidence that a tariff war is unnecessary and that both sides are committed to finding common ground.

As the APEC summit approaches, the global community watches closely for any developments that could impact international trade and economic stability. The outcome of these potential meetings could have significant implications for both nations and the broader global market.