President Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell about his upcoming sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in his Asia tour.
During a whirlwind five-day trip across the region, Trump revealed details of a lengthy meeting with Xi scheduled for Thursday morning, while also navigating trade talks and regional tensions in South Korea alongside President Lee Jae Myung.
Trump's Asia journey kicked off earlier this week with a stop in Japan before landing in South Korea, where he’s now on the final stretch of his diplomatic mission.
At a diplomatic dinner hosted by Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday at the Hilton Gyeongju in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump spilled the beans about his Thursday morning meeting with Xi, expecting it to span "three to four hours."
Caught on a hot mic as he settled in for the meal, Trump’s candid chat about the meeting’s duration hints at the weight he’s placing on this encounter with China’s leader.
"We're going to have something that's going to be very, very satisfactory to China and to us. I think it's going to be a very good meeting," Trump stated, radiating optimism about the outcome (President Donald Trump).
Let’s unpack that confidence—Trump seems to think he can charm Xi into a deal that benefits both sides, though skeptics might wonder if Beijing’s playing a longer game than Washington.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump and Lee Jae Myung shared a high honor ceremony at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, a display of unity despite Lee’s left-leaning government showing hesitation to cozy up to the U.S. over fears of China’s reaction.
Their discussions zeroed in on sealing a new trade agreement, a move that could bolster economic ties if Lee can be swayed past his administration’s reluctance.
"Trump's main objective in meeting Lee Jae-myung is to secure a trade deal and, along with that, $350 billion in investments in the United States," noted Henry Haggard, a former minister counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul (Henry Haggard).
Haggard’s insight reveals the high stakes—Trump isn’t just shaking hands; he’s pushing for a massive economic win, though Lee’s charm offensive might be more about keeping things smooth than committing hard.
Meanwhile, Trump’s formal remarks at the dinner included a hopeful nod to resolving South Korea’s ongoing friction with North Korea, a conflict that’s kept the peninsula on edge for decades.
Trump, who made history as the first U.S. president to step into North Korea during his first term, expressed openness to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during this trip, though no such meeting has been confirmed.
His past encounters with Kim give him a unique perspective, and Trump’s belief in personal diplomacy could be a wildcard in easing tensions—if only the stars align for a face-to-face.
While the Xi meeting and trade talks with Lee dominate the headlines, Trump’s willingness to engage with Kim underscores his broader goal of stabilizing the region, even if progressive critics might scoff at his unorthodox approach.
