United States President Donald Trump will embark on a trip to Asia this week, with a possible meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to headline his engagements.
Trump announced on Wednesday that he would visit Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, marking his first trip to the region since returning to the White House.
The White House has not released full details of the visit, but Trump said the trip aims to strengthen trade and peace partnerships, adding that he hopes to reach a “good deal” with China to end the long-running trade war between the two countries.
In Malaysia, Trump will attend the ASEAN Summit from October 26 to 28, where he is expected to sign a trade deal and witness the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the US president is keen to see the success of the negotiations.
Trump is also expected to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the summit.
His next stop will be Tokyo, where he will hold talks with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on trade, energy imports, and defense cooperation.
Trump will then proceed to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where a meeting with Xi Jinping could take place.
The encounter would be the first between both leaders since Trump’s return to office.
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However, Trump said the meeting might not happen, citing ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
He also said he hopes China can play a role in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
Analysts say the meeting, if it holds, may not yield major breakthroughs.
Meanwhile, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles on Wednesday, just days before Trump’s arrival in the region.
There are also reports that Trump could meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though the White House has not confirmed this.