U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are preparing for their first in-person meeting in six years, potentially taking place at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea at the end of October, according to Nikkei. The announcement follows a phone call on Sept. 19, during which Trump said the two leaders agreed to meet, though Beijing has yet to confirm.
The meeting would mark a pivotal moment in U.S.-China relations, which have been strained by trade disputes, technology restrictions, and national security concerns. Since April, Washington and Beijing have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations across Europe, reaching temporary tariff truces but failing to secure a comprehensive deal.
A central point of contention has been the fate of TikTok, the popular short-video app owned by China’s ByteDance. Following their recent call, Trump signed an executive order advancing a framework for a deal that would restructure TikTok’s U.S. operations into a joint venture. Under the arrangement, ByteDance would reduce its stake below 20%, while U.S. investors—including Oracle and other major backers—would control the majority. The entity would be valued at around $14 billion, with Trump touting the involvement of high-profile American investors.
While the move may ease immediate tensions, analysts told Nikkei that the deal underscores how far both sides remain from resolving deeper trade disputes. The current tariff truce expires Nov. 10, while the U.S. deadline for TikTok to secure an American owner has been extended to Dec. 16. “Quite a bit more haggling is in store,” said Arthur Kroeber of Gavekal Dragonomics, cautioning against expectations of a quick breakthrough.
Beyond trade, Washington and Beijing continue to clash over issues ranging from semiconductor restrictions to drug licensing. China recently accused U.S. chipmaker Nvidia of violating antitrust rules, while American lawmakers have floated delisting Chinese firms from U.S. exchanges. Analysts suggest the South Korea summit could yield incremental progress, such as tariff adjustments and increased Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products, rather than a sweeping accord.
The meeting also carries major implications for China’s slowing economy. Growth in retail sales, exports, and housing prices has weakened in recent months, raising expectations for further state-backed financing programs. At the same time, Xi is steering China toward a strategy of technological self-reliance. According to Nikkei, the Communist Party’s upcoming Central Committee plenum is expected to reinforce that trajectory in the next five-year plan, signaling that Beijing is preparing for long-term rivalry with Washington.
Despite the uncertainty, some observers see the APEC encounter as an opportunity to stabilize relations. “Trump wants to prove he can extract more from China than his predecessors, while Xi wants to relieve pressure from U.S. sanctions and export controls,” said Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
Whether the summit results in meaningful concessions or simply delays the next flashpoint, it will be closely watched as a test of how both leaders navigate a relationship that continues to shape the global economy.
