United States President Donald Trump has departed for Asia on a high-stakes diplomatic tour to participate in ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. Mr. Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and several regional leaders, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un during his visit. Mr. Jinping and Mr. Trump will discuss ways to end the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies. 

 

 

Speaking to reporters before his departure from Washington, Mr. Trump expressed confidence that China will agree to a deal to avoid additional 100 percent tariffs set to take effect on 1st of next month.

 

 

The US President also hinted that he could meet Kim Jong Un. The North Korean leader had previously said that he would be open to meeting the US President, if Washington eases its demand for North Korea’s complete denuclearization.

 

 

During his stop in Malaysia, Mr. Trump is expected to sign a new trade agreement and oversee the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia. He is also scheduled to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Trump’s next destination will be Tokyo, where he will hold talks with Japan’s newly appointed and first-ever female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.