U.S. President Donald Trump may meet China President Xi Jinping during visit to South Korea in October

U.S. President Donald Trump and his top advisors are quietly preparing to travel to South Korea later in October this year for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, with serious discussions in place for a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but no firm plans are in place, CNN reported on Saturday (September 6, 2025), citing Trump administration officials.

The U.S. President and his top advisors are preparing for the gathering of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers, three Trump administration officials told CNN.

The summit, which would take place in Gyeongju between late October and early November, is being viewed as a key opportunity for Mr. Trump to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping,CNN reported.

Citing the officials, it said that there have been serious discussions about a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of APEC, but no firm plans are in place. CNN highlighted how in a phone call last month, Mr. Xi had invited Mr. Trump and his wife to visit China, an invitation the U.S. president reciprocated, though no dates have been set.

As per CNN, while the details are still being finalised, it is unclear whether the President may add other stops on the trip. The officials stated that the administration is also viewing the trip as an opportunity for the President to secure additional economic investments in the U.S.

“A visit to South Korea is being discussed, which would focus on economic collaboration,” a White House official told CNN. Other goals include a focus on discussions around trade, defence and civil nuclear cooperation, the official said.

Mr. Trump’s visit could also put him in a position to sit down once again with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, however whether Mr. Kim attends is still a question. CNN reported that the officials say more attention is being placed on organising a potential meeting with Mr. Xi.

During the visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last week, he had invited Mr. Trump to attend the APEC summit and suggested that the setting could provide the U.S. President with an opportunity to meet with Mr. Kim, sources familiar with the talks told CNN.

While addressing reporters earlier in the day, Mr. Trump told Mr. Lee he was willing to meet with Mr. Kim. “I will do that, and we’ll have talks. He’d like to meet with me,” Mr. Trump claimed of the North Korean leader. “We look forward to meeting with him, and we’ll make relations better.”

The expected trip of Donald Trump to South Korea thus comes at a tenuous time in his relationship with both Mr. Xi and Mr. Kim.