President Donald Trump begins a high-stakes Trump Asia tour on October 26, 2025. The trip is his first to the region since returning to the White House.
Global observers are focused on a potential showdown with China’s Xi Jinping.
The 79-year-old president will visit Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. His agenda includes tariffs, peace talks, and major geopolitical negotiations. This whirlwind trip could reshape global trade and security.
Malaysia: ASEAN Summit and Peace Accord
The tour kicks off in Malaysia for the ASEAN summit, running from October 26-28.
Trump is set to oversee a historic peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. This move is reportedly part of his pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Trump’s push for “positive outcomes.” A new trade deal with Malaysia is also on the agenda.
Furthermore, a potential side meeting with Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva adds intrigue to the summit.
Tokyo Talks: Tariffs and Takaichi
The next stop is Tokyo. Trump will meet Japan’s new conservative leader, Sanae Takaichi, the nation’s first female prime minister.
Japan has, so far, mostly avoided Trump’s severe global tariffs, which he uses to fix “unfair trade imbalances.”
However, Trump is pressing Tokyo on two key issues. He wants Japan to halt Russian energy imports and increase its own defense spending.
Climax of the Trump Asia Tour: APEC and Xi
The tour’s climax will be the APEC summit in South Korea on October 29.
A meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping is highly anticipated. This could either cool the U.S.-China trade war or inflame it further.
Trump has expressed frustration over China’s rare earth restrictions. He also hopes Xi can pressure Russia’s Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
Analysts, like Ryan Hass of Brookings, warn not to expect a miracle. As host, South Korea may award Trump its highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa.
North Korea Looms Over Seoul Visit
Recent missile launches by North Korea on October 22 cast a shadow over the trip.
Trump, who met Kim Jong Un multiple times in his first term, has floated the idea of another meeting. However, officials have not confirmed any plans.
The launches add significant tension to the APEC summit in Seoul. This uncertainty forces allies to balance trade goals with security concerns in the volatile region.
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