Trump Departs For Japan Ahead Of Key China Meet

US President Donald Trump departed for Japan on Monday, the second stop of his Asia tour, ahead of a crucial meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at ending the prolonged trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Over the weekend, both Washington and Beijing struck an optimistic tone about the prospects of reaching a deal, boosting investor confidence and helping Japan’s Nikkei index surpass the 50,000 mark for the first time on Monday.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo for an evening audience with the Emperor of Japan before meeting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday. The US president praised Takaichi, describing her as a protégé of the late former premier Shinzo Abe, with whom he shared a close relationship.

Takaichi said she had conveyed to Trump that strengthening the Japan–US alliance remains her administration’s “top priority on the diplomatic and security front.”

Japan has largely avoided the steep tariffs Trump imposed on several countries as part of his campaign to correct what he describes as “unfair trade balances” that disadvantage the United States.

‘Going to Be Great’

The Asia tour, Trump’s first since returning to office, began in Malaysia on Sunday, where he signed several agreements. Among them were trade deals with Cambodia and Thailand following their joint ceasefire pact signed on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Trump also reached a trade and minerals agreement with Malaysia and took steps to repair strained ties with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after months of tension.

“I think we’ll be able to do some pretty good deals,” Trump said following his meeting with Lula.

During a refuelling stop en route to Malaysia, Trump met Qatari leaders to discuss the fragile truce in Gaza. His arrival in Kuala Lumpur was marked by a red-carpet welcome and a fighter jet escort, followed by his trademark arm-waving dance.

The most anticipated outcome of the trip, however, remains a potential trade deal with China.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng have already held two days of negotiations aimed at averting a planned 100 percent tariff increase set to take effect on November 1.

China’s Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang said the two sides had reached a “preliminary consensus.” Bessent later told ABC that the additional tariffs had been suspended and indicated progress on agreements involving rare earth minerals and US soybean exports.

“It’s going to be great for China, great for us,” Trump told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

‘Open’ to Meeting Kim

The highlight of Trump’s Asia tour is expected to come in South Korea, where he will meet Xi Jinping for the first time since returning to the White House.

Trump is set to arrive in the southern port city of Busan on Wednesday ahead of the APEC summit, where he will also hold talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Global markets will be watching closely to see whether the meeting with Xi on Thursday can bring an end to the trade conflict, particularly after recent tensions over China’s rare earth export restrictions.

Trump has also hinted at the possibility of meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while on the Korean Peninsula, saying he is “open to it.”

The two last met in 2019 at the Demilitarised Zone separating North and South Korea. South Korea’s reunification minister said there is a “considerable” chance the two could meet again.

Kim has likewise expressed willingness to meet Trump if the United States eases its demand that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear weapons programme.