The two leaders met on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Busan, striking a cautious tone as they discussed trade, fentanyl trafficking, and renewed military tensions.
BY PC Bureau
October 30, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Thursday for their first in-person talks in six years, seeking to cool tensions that have reignited between Washington and Beijing over tariffs, technology, and trade.
The encounter took place on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in the port city of Busan, marking a cautious attempt to reset ties between the world’s two largest economies after months of escalating rhetoric.
“We’ve known each other a long time and have a great relationship,” Trump said as the two leaders greeted each other with a handshake at Gimhae International Airport. “It’s good to see him again. We could sign a trade deal today.”
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Flanked by senior officials, Trump later described Xi as “a great leader of a great country” and expressed optimism that the talks could pave the way for “a fantastic relationship for years to come.”
Xi, in turn, struck a measured tone. Speaking through an interpreter, he said it was natural for major powers to face friction but emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation.
“Given our different systems, disagreements are inevitable. But the key is to keep our relations on the right course,” Xi said.
Trump’s Feb tariff war on China🇨🇳 for leverage backfired—Beijing’s relentless counters forced “tough guy” POTUS to backpedal. After 268 days waiting, he met dream date Xi, but Xi’s vibe: zero expectations. “We’re winning everything—why negotiate?” #APEC2025 pic.twitter.com/KILJFMVDAl
— PLA_Overwhelm (@junshiguancha) October 30, 2025
The meeting — held in a private conference room draped with Chinese and American flags — was attended by top aides from both sides, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Xi praised Trump’s mediation in recent global conflicts, including his role in the ceasefire that ended the Israel-Hamas war and in the peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand. “We, too, have worked to manage disputes and promote dialogue in our own way,” Xi noted.
Both leaders called for stability in global trade and pledged to seek common ground despite deep divisions over tariffs and technology exports. The U.S. has raised duties on a range of Chinese goods since Trump returned to office in January, while Beijing has threatened to expand curbs on exports of rare-earth minerals essential for high-tech manufacturing.
Trump has hinted he may consider easing some trade restrictions if China cooperates in curbing the trafficking of fentanyl — a potent synthetic drug fueling America’s overdose crisis.
The meeting also touched on defense and security issues. Before landing in Busan, Trump told reporters that the United States would resume nuclear weapons testing “immediately,” citing concerns over China’s growing arsenal — a remark he avoided elaborating on during his talks with Xi.
Officials on both sides described the session as “constructive,” though expectations remain modest. The White House has said the Busan meeting is likely to be the first in a series of engagements between the two leaders, potentially including reciprocal state visits later this year.
The last time Trump and Xi met one-on-one was in 2019 at the G20 Summit in Osaka during Trump’s first term, when trade tensions had also dominated the agenda.
For now, Thursday’s meeting signals a tentative thaw — but with both leaders facing domestic pressure, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.
