Trump Says He Will Meet Xi at APEC Summit and Will Go to China Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the October APEC summit in South Korea and visit China early next year. The leaders approved a TikTok ownership deal during a Friday phone call. Despite progress on TikTok, broader trade disputes remain unresolved.
Trump Confirms Xi Meeting, TikTok Deal Gets Approval – Quick Looks
- Trump and Xi spoke Friday, approving TikTok ownership deal.
- Leaders to meet at APEC summit in South Korea in October.
- Trump plans China visit early next year; Xi to visit U.S. “at appropriate time.”
- Call described by Trump as “a very good one.”
- China urged U.S. to avoid unilateral trade restrictions.
- TikTok deal allows U.S. control of data, algorithm use.
- Trump credits TikTok with boosting his reelection campaign.
- U.S.-China trade war continues with tariffs, export disputes.
- American farm exports to China fell 53% this year.
- Broader negotiations remain unresolved on tech, agriculture, and fentanyl.
Deep Look: Trump and Xi Confirm APEC Meeting, Approve TikTok Deal in Phone Call
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea in late October, followed by a planned presidential visit to China in early 2026.
The announcement came after a phone call between the two leaders, which Trump described as “a very good one.” The leaders also approved a deal on TikTok, resolving months of uncertainty about the platform’s future in the U.S.
“We will be speaking again by phone, appreciate the TikTok approval, and both look forward to meeting at APEC!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Xi, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency, emphasized the importance of avoiding unilateral U.S. trade restrictions and urged a stable path forward in bilateral relations.
TikTok Deal Clears Major Hurdle
The agreement follows months of negotiations and several U.S. deadlines requiring TikTok to be spun off from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to remain in the U.S. market. Under a law passed last year, foreign-owned platforms must address data security and national security concerns.
The deal reportedly includes:
- U.S.-based partner to manage American user data and content security.
- Agreement on the use of TikTok’s proprietary algorithm under U.S. oversight.
- Framework ensuring ByteDance cannot be compelled by Chinese law to share U.S. data.
Trump, who has credited TikTok with energizing his political campaign, praised the app’s “tremendous value” and said U.S. approval gave America “the value in its hand.”
Still, U.S. lawmakers such as Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) stress the deal must ensure TikTok’s data and algorithm are “truly in American hands.”
Trade Issues Still Unresolved
While the TikTok breakthrough signals progress, many trade issues remain unsettled.
Since Trump returned to office, his administration has reimposed high tariffs on Chinese goods, citing concerns over technology theft and Beijing’s role in supplying chemicals for the U.S. opioid crisis.
So far:
- Four rounds of U.S.-China trade talks have been held since May.
- Tariffs remain on key sectors, with new 20% duties on goods tied to fentanyl precursors.
- No agreement has been reached on export controls, agricultural purchases, or technology sales.
China remains the largest foreign buyer of U.S. soybeans, but farm exports to China dropped 53% between January and July. Sales of some commodities, like sorghum, have nearly collapsed, falling 97%.
American Soybean Association chair Josh Gackle said farmers are growing frustrated:
“There’s still time. It’s encouraging that the two countries continue to talk. But frustration is growing that they haven’t reached a deal yet.”
Diplomatic Dynamics Ahead
The October APEC meeting will mark the leaders’ first in-person summit since Trump’s return to the White House. Analysts say both sides have incentives:
- Trump wants to project that the U.S. holds the upper hand in negotiations.
- Xi will seek to highlight China’s economic leverage and push for tariff relief.
Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, predicted the summit would go forward:
“Both sides have strong desire for the leadership summit to happen, while the details lie in the trade deal and what can be achieved for both sides.”
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