On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided insights into President Donald Trump's much-anticipated trip to Asia. This significant journey includes a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Scheduled to depart on Friday night, President Trump will visit key nations including Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea.
According to Leavitt, President Trump will meet with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Busan, South Korea, next Thursday. This meeting occurs shortly after Trump announced plans to implement 100% tariffs on imports from China, further escalating trade tensions between the two nations.
The trip kicks off with a visit to Malaysia, where the President is set to depart the White House at 11 p.m. tomorrow. After a long flight, Trump is expected to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday morning local time. Leavitt emphasized the significance of this trip during the press briefing, noting its importance for diplomatic relations.
During his time in Malaysia, President Trump will engage in a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia in the afternoon, followed by attending the ASEAN leaders' working dinner that evening. This engagement highlights the United States' commitment to fostering strong relationships within Southeast Asia.
On Monday morning, local time, President Trump will travel to Tokyo for a meeting with Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected Prime Minister of Japan. This meeting underscores the importance of US-Japan relations, particularly in the context of regional security and economic cooperation.
Following his visit to Japan, Trump will fly to Busan for a bilateral meeting with Lee Jae Myung, the President of South Korea. This meeting aims to strengthen ties between the US and South Korea, especially in light of ongoing security challenges in the region.
Finally, after concluding his discussions with President Xi, President Trump will return to Washington. Leavitt noted that this meeting with Xi is not the first for the two leaders; they previously held a bilateral meeting during the G20 Summit in Osaka in 2019. As the world watches, this upcoming trip promises to be pivotal for US relations with these key Asian nations.
