[APEC Super Week] Watershed for the Global Economy: All Eyes on U.S.-China Summit... Surprise North Korea-U.S. Meeting in Focus

Trump and Xi Jinping to Hold Summit on the 30th
Attention Also on Possibility of North Korea-U.S. Summit

The main highlight of the 2025 Gyeongju Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit is the anticipated meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un. The U.S.-China summit is drawing global attention, as it is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the direction of global hegemony. Meanwhile, the potential U.S.-North Korea summit is also under the spotlight, as it could mark the starting point for establishing a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

The White House announced on October 23 (local time) that President Trump will hold a summit with President Xi in Korea on the 30th. This comes as the U.S. and China continue their tit-for-tat standoff, each leveraging their strengths in areas such as high tariffs, rare earth elements, soybeans, and software. The most likely venue for the meeting between President Trump and President Xi is reported to be 'Naraemaru,' the reception hall at Gimhae Airport in Busan.

Both sides held the fifth high-level trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 25-26 (local time). This served as a prelude to the upcoming summit. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, told reporters after the talks, "I believe the (U.S. and Chinese) leaders are reaching a stage where they can have a very productive meeting."

The focus now is on what level of agreement will be reached at the U.S.-China summit in Busan, which is being called the "summit of the century." Both countries face significant pressures, including next year's midterm elections and economic slowdowns, leading to expectations that some form of agreement will be achieved. President Trump also stated during a press conference aboard Air Force One on October 24 (local time), "It will be a good meeting," adding, "China needs to make concessions, but we are also prepared."

The second key point of interest is whether a U.S.-North Korea summit will materialize. President Trump has shown a proactive stance, partially accepting North Korea's demand for recognition as a nuclear-armed state. He stated, "North Korea is a kind of nuclear power," and added, "I am 100% open to meeting Chairman Kim. I have gotten along very well with him."

While North Korea is not officially recognized as a "nuclear weapon state" like the U.S., U.K., France, China, and Russia, President Trump referred to it as a "nuclear power," similar to India and Pakistan, which possess nuclear weapons unofficially. This suggests that while the U.S. will maintain its overarching policy of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, it is willing to acknowledge the fact that North Korea has produced and possesses multiple nuclear weapons. President Trump's remarks can be interpreted as partially accepting Chairman Kim's precondition for U.S.-North Korea dialogue-the recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state.

As a result, there is a sense of anticipation for a surprise meeting. Unification Minister Chung Dongyoung recently cited the beautification work carried out in the North Korean section of Panmunjom on October 24 as evidence that the possibility of a U.S.-North Korea summit remains open to some extent.

However, many observers believe that the likelihood is not high in reality. The fact that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sonhui began visits to Russia and Belarus the previous day is seen as an indication of this. Some interpret the absence of Foreign Minister Choe, a key diplomatic aide, as a subtle way of conveying North Korea's intent to decline the summit. Professor Lim Eulchul of Kyungnam University assessed, "It is a clear message to the U.S. indicating a refusal to meet with President Trump." National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak also commented, "It is not very positive," adding, "We will prepare for all possible scenarios."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.