President Donald Trump is set to pursue a series of economic and critical minerals agreements during his upcoming trip to Asia, as the US intensifies efforts to counter China’s growing influence ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to senior US officials.
Speaking to reporters on Friday before Trump’s departure, the officials said the administration aims to secure partnerships that would unlock access to the region’s mineral resources, strengthen global supply chains, boost economic growth, and attract greater investment into the United States. They did not disclose details of the specific deals being negotiated.
The president’s multi-nation tour will include stops in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, followed by visits to Japan and South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The trip will conclude with a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi — a key moment for the leaders of the world’s two largest economies to address ongoing tensions over tariffs, export restrictions, and trade imbalances.
The planned engagements highlight Washington’s push to deepen economic ties across the Indo-Pacific while seeking to reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains for critical materials used in advanced manufacturing and energy technologies.
