Trump quietly preparing to travel next month to South Korea, where he could sit down with China's leader

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Sep 6, 2025, 6:40 PM ET


President Donald Trump and his top advisers are quietly preparing to travel to South Korea in October for the gathering of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers, three Trump administration officials told CNN.

The summit, set to be held in the city of Gyeongju between late October and early November, is viewed as a key opportunity for Trump to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The officials said there have been serious discussions about a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of APEC, but no firm plans are in place. In a phone call last month, Xi invited Trump and his wife to visit China, an invitation the US president reciprocated, though no dates have been set.

Details are still being finalized and it’s unclear whether the president may add other stops on the trip. The officials said the administration is also viewing it as an opportunity for the president to clinch more economic investments in the US — something that has been a key focus of his recent trips abroad, including during his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“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, defense and civil nuclear cooperation, the official said.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/06/politics/trump-south-korea-visit