WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – President Donald Trump’s first trip to Asia in his second term will take him to three countries where trade is likely the number one item on his agenda.
Trump’s first stop will be Malaysia, where he will meet with several Asian leaders at the ASEAN Summit. He will then travel to Japan to meet with the country’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. From there, Trump will travel to South Korea for the APEC Summit and a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
When asked about his upcoming meeting with Xi, Trump expressed optimism about reaching agreements.
“I think we’ll make a deal. I think we’re going to make a deal on the rare Earth. Is the least of it,” Trump said. “Look, the tariffs are much more powerful than the rare Earth. The rare earth is a disturbance, but there’s a lot of rare earth around. I’ll tell you. I’ve had more calls on rare earth. We’ve got it. Everybody’s up. We’ll make a deal on I think, everything. I think we’re going to make a deal. And soybeans that the farmers. I think we’re going to make a deal on. Maybe even nuclear.”
Trump also indicated he plans to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine with Xi, believing the Chinese leader could influence Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Yeah, I do, I think he can have a big influence on Putin. I think he can have a big influence. So a lot of people look, he’s a respected man. He’s a very strong leader of a very big country. Yeah. I think he can have a big influence. And we will certainly be talking about Russia, Ukraine,” Trump said.
Trade tensions have been high between the U.S. and China after China recently announced tightened export controls on rare earth minerals. In response, Trump has threatened an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports, which would take effect on Nov. 1 if no deal is reached between the two countries.
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