The stage is set in South Korea for high-stakes trade talks between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, who will meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit this Thursday.
President Trump, speaking from Tokyo, was highly optimistic about the “big meeting.” “I think it’s going to work out very well, actually,” he confidently stated.
His confidence comes despite a recent and severe escalation in the trade war. The US has threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods from November 1.
This was in retaliation for Beijing’s move to control exports of rare earth minerals, a key component in many technologies. New US port fees and Chinese countermeasures have further raised tensions.
Trump, however, focused on a positive resolution, calling the planned meeting “fantastic” and “great for everybody.”