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US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping pose for a photo ahead of their bilateral meeting during the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. — Reuters
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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will embark on a major Asia tour this week, focusing on a possible meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping that could have significant consequences for the global economy.
Trump said on Wednesday he was taking a “big trip” to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, his first trip to the region since his return to the White House amid a flare-up of tariffs and geopolitical rifts.
Much of the trip remains unclear: The White House has offered few details, and Trump has warned that his expected sit-in with 11 in South Korea may not take place amid ongoing tensions.
But Trump has made clear he hopes to seal a “good” deal with China and end a bitter trade war between the world’s two biggest economies that has caused global shockwaves.
Host nations, meanwhile, are ready to roll out the red carpet to ensure they stay on the right side of the unpredictable 79-year-old, and win the best deals they can on tariffs and security aid.
Malaysia and Japan
His first stop is expected to be Malaysia at the October 26-28 summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Trump is set to ink a trade deal with Malaysia — but more importantly, to oversee the signing of a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia, as he continues to seek the Nobel Peace Prize.
“President Trump wants to see more positive results from the peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia,” Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.
Officials from both countries told AFP that the US leader may also meet with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Aniquio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the summit to mend ties after months of bad blood.
Trump’s next stop is expected to be Tokyo, where he is expected to meet conservative Sana Takeichi, named Japan’s first female prime minister this week.
Japan has avoided the worst of the tariffs Trump has slapped on countries around the world to eliminate an unfair trade balance that is “moving away from the United States.”
At the same time, Trump wants Japan to stop importing Russian energy and has also urged Tokyo to follow its Western allies in increasing defense spending.
XI in South Korea?
But the climax of the trip is expected to be in South Korea, where Trump is scheduled to arrive on Oct. 29 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit—and possibly meet with XI.
The first meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office could focus on the trade war between Washington and Beijing.
Trump initially threatened to cancel the meeting and impose fresh tariffs, before he followed through after all. But he added Tuesday that “it probably won’t happen.”
He said on Wednesday that he hoped to reach an agreement with XI on “everything” and hoped that Chinese leader Vladimir Putin of Russia could have a “huge influence” to end the Ukraine war.
Analysts warned not to expect any progress.
“This meeting will be a data point along the current continuum rather than an inflection point in the relationship,” said Ryan Haas, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
South Korea, which is seeking its own trade deal, is reportedly considering the rare move of bestowing Trump with the Grand Order of Mugunghwa – the country’s highest decoration – during his visit.
North Korea will also be on the agenda. The country launched several ballistic missiles on Wednesday, just days before Trump’s visit.
Trump has said he hopes to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after several meetings during the US president’s first term, but there has been no confirmation of reports that the White House is looking at a new meeting this time.
