Trump Anticipates 'Good Deal' with Xi Amid 100% Tariff Threats and Rare Earth Dispute

President Donald Trump has confirmed his intention to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea later this month, expressing optimism for a productive discussion despite escalating trade tensions. The high-stakes encounter is expected to take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for October 31 to November 1. "I’ll be meeting with President Xi of China. We have a pretty long meeting scheduled. We can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts, and our tremendous asset together. So we look forward to that," President Trump stated, as shared by the Trump War Room on social media.

The planned meeting comes amidst a resurgence of trade hostilities, primarily fueled by China's recent restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. In response to these measures, President Trump has threatened to impose additional duties of 100% on Chinese goods, a move described by U.S. officials as a significant escalation. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are currently in Asia, working to de-escalate these tensions ahead of the leaders' summit.

Beyond trade, the agenda for the bilateral talks is anticipated to cover a range of critical geopolitical issues. President Trump indicated he plans to discuss China's purchases of Russian oil and strategies to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting a shift in President Xi's stance on the war. The leaders may also explore the possibility of a nuclear arms deal, potentially involving China in broader de-escalation efforts alongside Russia.

Another sensitive topic expected to be addressed is Taiwan, which President Trump acknowledged as the "apple of Xi's eye." While expressing confidence in deterring any invasion and maintaining a strong relationship with President Xi on the matter, Trump has not clarified whether U.S. support for Taiwan could be leveraged in negotiations. The meeting will mark President Trump's first trip to Asia in his second term, with regional allies closely watching for outcomes that could impact global economic stability and security.