President Donald Trump has begun a high-profile Asia diplomatic tour that will include stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said he is open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to the Korean peninsula.
Trump left Washington on Friday night for the five-day trip, marking his first visit to Asia since taking office in January. He is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday morning local time to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The visit is expected to focus on trade, security, and diplomatic engagement in the region.
Before reaching Malaysia, Trump will make a brief stop in Qatar to refuel and meet with the country’s emir. According to a White House official, discussions will center on the ongoing ceasefire efforts in Gaza, with hopes of moving to a final peace phase soon.
The US president will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the final day of his trip. Their talks aim to resolve the ongoing trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies. Trump has said he expects “a very good meeting” and believes China will agree to a deal to avoid the planned 100% tariffs that could take effect on November 1.
In preparation for the high-level meeting, top economic officials from both countries held talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. A US Treasury spokesperson described those discussions as “very constructive” and confirmed they would continue the following day.
As Trump departed the US, he fueled speculation about a possible reunion with Kim Jong-un, saying, “I’m open to it. I had a great relationship with him.” The two leaders previously met three times during Trump’s first term, with their last encounter taking place in 2019.
When asked about North Korea’s desire to be recognized as a nuclear state before resuming talks, Trump responded, “They have a lot of nuclear weapons. I’d say they’re sort of a nuclear power.”
South Korea’s reunification minister said there was a “considerable chance” that the two leaders could meet during Trump’s stay in South Korea. Some media outlets have reported that US officials have quietly explored the possibility of arranging such a meeting. However, senior US aides have downplayed the rumors, insisting there are “no formal plans” for talks with Kim.
In Malaysia, Trump is expected to oversee the signing of a trade deal with the host country and witness a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia. He also plans to meet Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit to improve relations following months of strained communication.
Trump’s next stop will be Tokyo, where he will meet Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The meeting will focus on defense cooperation and Japan’s plan to invest $550 billion in the United States.
The highlight of the tour will be in South Korea, where Trump is set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. His long-awaited meeting with Xi Jinping will take place there, drawing global attention due to its potential impact on international markets.
Financial observers are closely watching to see if the two leaders can ease trade tensions that escalated earlier this year after Washington imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods. Beijing retaliated by restricting exports of rare earth materials, a key component in electronics manufacturing.
An interim trade deal could include a freeze on new tariffs, continued current rates, or commitments from China to purchase US-made aircraft and agricultural products. However, analysts remain cautious, noting that Beijing backed away from similar promises in a 2020 agreement with Trump.
Trump has warned that if no deal is reached, tariffs on Chinese imports could rise to 155% beginning November 1. The two leaders are also expected to discuss broader geopolitical issues, including Taiwan and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Before leaving the White House, Trump said he planned to raise the issue of Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, who remains imprisoned under China’s national security laws. “It’s on my list,” Trump said. “I’m going to ask. We’ll see what happens.”
As the trip begins, attention is focused on whether Trump’s Asia diplomatic tour will produce new breakthroughs — from trade agreements with China to renewed dialogue with North Korea.
