Trump: Outlook for a Trade Deal with China in the Context of the APEC Summit

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he expects to reach a “fair” trade agreement with China during the upcoming APEC Summit.

However, he warned that the planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping might not take place, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding economic relations between the two global powers.

Trump, 79, has repeatedly shifted his stance regarding the meeting, scheduled for October 31–November 1, amid tensions over Beijing’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports, a strategic sector for high-tech industries.

“We will get a fair deal, and I think it will be a very successful meeting. Certainly, many people are looking forward to it,” Trump told Republican senators at the White House. At the same time, he cautioned that the meeting could be postponed: “Things can happen where, for example, someone might say ‘I don’t want to meet, it’s too aggressive,’ but it’s not really aggressive,” he added.

This announcement follows a series of contradictory statements. On September 19, Trump confirmed the meeting with Xi in South Korea and mentioned a visit to China early next year. However, on October 10, he threatened to cancel talks and impose massive tariffs in response to China’s restrictions on rare earth exports.

Economically, a potential trade deal could have a significant impact on global trade flows and financial markets. Reciprocal tariffs and restrictions between the US and China have already affected technology, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors. Clarifying the trade relationship could boost investment and market confidence worldwide.

Trump also emphasized that the meeting with Xi “should take place” and that his visit to China “early next year” is “somewhat set.” This would mark their first face-to-face meeting since Trump returned to the White House, offering an opportunity to recalibrate bilateral economic relations and address sensitive issues related to trade, technology, and investment.

Meanwhile, Trump has expressed a desire to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Although the US president mentioned a potential meeting in Hungary within the next two weeks, the White House has stated that no concrete plans are in place, underscoring the complexity and volatility of international relations that can influence the global economic environment.