Beijing, Oct 24 – China has confirmed that President Xi Jinping will visit South Korea to participate in the APEC Summit, where he is anticipated to engage in significant discussions with US President Donald Trump aimed at alleviating rising trade tensions between the two nations.

The White House previously announced that Trump and Xi would convene on October 30 in South Korea. Xi’s attendance at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju comes at the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, with the state visit scheduled from October 30 to November 1, as stated by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

In response to inquiries, Guo indicated that China and the US are maintaining close communication regarding the potential meeting between the two leaders. While Trump has been forthcoming about his intentions to meet Xi, Beijing has been more reserved in its confirmation of the meeting.

On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during a media briefing that Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with President Xi on October 30 in South Korea. This meeting will occur at the conclusion of Trump’s three-nation Asia trip, which includes stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea.

The meeting is set to take place in Busan, South Korea, just before the official commencement of the APEC summit scheduled for October 31 to November 1, according to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

This meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies occurs amid escalating tensions, as Beijing has indicated stricter controls over rare earth exports, while Washington has threatened additional tariffs and new restrictions on key technologies. Trump, who had previously considered canceling the meeting due to the trade conflict, expressed optimism on Wednesday about reaching a comprehensive agreement.

During a press conference in Washington on Thursday, Trump stated that he intends to discuss “some big issues” with Xi, including the challenges faced by US farmers. He noted that the “first question” he plans to raise will pertain to fentanyl exports, referencing US accusations that China has not adequately addressed precursor shipments related to the opioid crisis in America.

Analysts in Washington have cautioned against expecting significant breakthroughs from the upcoming meeting. A former senior US government official remarked that both nations are approaching the relationship with a sense of confidence, each believing that the other is more dependent on them. This perception of mutual need could lead to a precarious situation, as both sides feel they possess escalation dominance.

According to the White House, Trump will depart Washington on Friday for his multi-nation Asia tour. He is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday local time for the ASEAN summit, a meeting he missed multiple times during his first term. Additionally, he will conduct bilateral meetings with the leaders of Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng are set to meet in Malaysia later this week to prepare for the Trump-Xi meeting.