Trump, Xi Jinping Meet in South Korea to Negotiate Major Trade Partnership Amid Asia-Pacific Summit

President Donald Trump embarked on a significant diplomatic tour of Asia, visiting Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea during the APEC summit. This tour aimed to reassert U.S. primacy in the Indo-Pacific region and enhance strategic alliances through deeper defense and technology collaborations, including advanced nuclear-powered submarine technology sharing with South Korea. Trump received symbolic gifts such as a golden crown and medal in South Korea, which he plans to display in the Oval Office, reflecting his appreciation for cultural diplomacy. The summit with Xi Jinping marked a breakthrough in trade relations, including agreements to scale back tariffs and reopen supply chains for rare earth minerals, signaling a reset in U.S.-China economic ties. Despite domestic challenges like a federal government shutdown, Trump's diplomatic efforts attracted substantial investments and demonstrated a shift toward more amiable international engagement. His Asia tour is viewed as a calculated move to strengthen America's influence in a region critical to the global economy while securing trade benefits for the U.S.