Xi-Trump likely to attend APEC summit in South Korea next month

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump are expected to visit South Korea next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, officials said on Wednesday.

The summit, scheduled for October 31 to November 1, will be South Korea’s most significant multilateral event in years, drawing global attention at a time when the country is navigating delicate ties with both Washington and Beijing.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who is making his first visit to China since the Lee Jae Myung administration took office in June, told reporters that discussions about Xi’s attendance would be on the table during his meetings in Beijing. “From what I understand, President Xi will visit South Korea for the APEC summit. We will have detailed discussions in relation to the matter,” Cho said, according to Yonhap News.
The groundwork for Xi’s potential visit has been underway for months. President Lee had sent a personal letter to the Chinese leader in August, delivered through a special envoy, inviting him to travel to South Korea during the APEC meetings. If confirmed, it would mark Xi’s first visit to South Korea in several years and a symbolic step in stabilizing relations amid trade disputes and regional security strains.
Cho’s two-day trip to Beijing is also expected to focus on trade and security issues. “We will discuss ways to deepen our cooperation and reduce tensions in Northeast Asia,” he said. Bilateral ties between South Korea and China have grown significantly since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992. Trade between the two countries hit $267.6 billion in 2024, making China South Korea’s largest trading partner.
Meanwhile, Seoul is also working to ensure President Trump’s presence at the summit. Acting U.S. Ambassador Joseph Yun confirmed on Wednesday that Trump is expected to attend and hold a bilateral meeting with President Lee. Lee had extended the invitation during his White House visit last month. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, however, cautioned that the U.S. side has yet to give a final confirmation.
Trump’s potential trip comes as Seoul and Washington are negotiating the details of a revised trade agreement. Under the draft framework, South Korea is set to invest about $350 billion in the United States, while Trump is considering lowering tariffs on South Korean imports to 15% from the current 25%. The outcome of those talks could be closely tied to the optics of his visit.
If both Xi and Trump attend, the Gyeongju summit could turn into a rare stage for direct U.S.-China engagement — with South Korea positioned at the center of regional diplomacy.