U.S. and China officials hold pre-summit talks in Seoul and Tokyo as Taiwan arms sales and trade tensions dominate the agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet in Beijing on Thursday and Friday, with trade negotiations and Taiwan arms sales high on the agenda. Trade negotiators from both nations are meeting in Seoul ahead of the summit, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is in Japan to discuss regional stability and energy security amid frayed Beijing-Tokyo ties.
Japan, which relies on the Middle East for 75% of its oil imports, is closely monitoring the summit’s wording on Taiwan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed support for Taipei in November. Beijing has sharply criticized Tokyo’s stance, raising stakes for the Trump-Xi meeting. Vice Premier He Lifeng is also leading a Chinese delegation to South Korea this week.
Markets are watching for signals on trade policy and Taiwan, with potential implications for semiconductor supply chains and regional defense contracts. The summit follows months of escalating tensions over tariffs, technology restrictions, and military posturing in the South China Sea.