Story perspectives

Trump and Xi Pursue Fragile Trade Truce in Busan

10/30/2025

Center

Trump and Xi Meet

U.S. President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, China's leader, are set to meet in Busan, South Korea, to pursue a trade truce.
Negotiators aim to establish a truce despite escalation in the trade war over rare-earth mineral exports, though experts doubt its longevity.
Trump seeks to reduce tariffs in exchange for China curbing fentanyl precursor chemicals.
Taiwan tensions loom with U.S. officials saying Taiwan's defense remains a priority.

Left

Trump Advances Trade

U.S. President Donald Trump focused on bilateral trade deals during his Asia trip, announcing agreements with four ASEAN nations, including Cambodia and Malaysia, at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur to counter China.
The White House says these bilateral agreements are more beneficial to American workers than prior multilateral efforts, while smaller nations worry about being squeezed between U.S. and Chinese interests.
Escalating tariffs have driven economic instability in Southeast Asia, and a United Nations report projects significant export declines and GDP reductions for affected countries.

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Trump and Xi Meet

U.S. President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, China's leader, are set to meet in Busan, South Korea, to pursue a trade truce.
Negotiators aim to establish a truce despite escalation in the trade war over rare-earth mineral exports, though experts doubt its longevity.
Trump seeks to reduce tariffs in exchange for China curbing fentanyl precursor chemicals.
Taiwan tensions loom with U.S. officials saying Taiwan's defense remains a priority.

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