Trump and Xi Converge in Busan: A Crucial Meeting to Resolve Trade Tensions

Trump and Xi Arrive in Busan for Pivotal Trade Talks

Busan, South Korea — On October 30, 2025, President Trump and President Xi landed in Busan. They had not met face-to-face since Trump began his second term in January. Global markets and policy teams now wait as the two leaders meet. Their talks will focus on trade issues and tariffs. Two major economies show tension in these issues.

Arrival and Context of the Meeting

At Gimhae Air Base in Busan, officials greeted Trump and Xi with warm smiles. The leaders posed for a photo before their talks began at 11 a.m. local time (10 p.m. ET Wednesday). This meeting happens as Xi visits South Korea. It is his first visit in 11 years, and he also attends the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in nearby Gyeongju from Thursday to Saturday.

Trade Tensions at a Boiling Point

This meeting comes during a tough economic year. Beijing set new export controls. The U.S. warned it might ban some software exports to China. These moves add to the trade war problems between the two nations.

In recent days, the U.S. shared three goals for the talks:

Cut the flow of fentanyl into the United States
Split TikTok from its Beijing-based parent, ByteDance
Redefine terms for tariffs, technology exports, and rare earth mineral trades

Reuters said that China bought its first shipments of U.S. soybeans in months. This move may show a softer stance before the talks.

Market Reactions and Investor Sentiment

Investors feel cautious yet hopeful. Markets saw a rise at the start of the week in anticipation of change. The trade war has made markets nervous for months. News from Busan may send waves across global markets.

Outlook

Beijing remains careful about the chance of an agreement. The meeting now stands as a chance to fix key trade issues. The topics on the agenda may shift global ties for years.

The world now watches. The results of Busan might shape economic and diplomatic bonds for a long time. Stay tuned for live updates on this major summit.

Reporting by Evelyn Cheng and Anniek Bao, CNBC
Photo Credit: Andrew Harnik | Getty Images

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