President Donald Trump departed for Asia late on October 24, as the US government shutdown continues and the president seeks to resolve the trade war.
President Trump heads to Asia to seek trade deal with China
President Trump is scheduled to fly to Asia for six days and meet with China to negotiate a trade deal.
President Donald Trump departed for Asia late Friday, Oct. 24, as the U.S. government shutdown heads toward historic lengths and Republicans seek to resolve a trade war over tariffs with China.
The President departed the White House on Friday night and was scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday morning, October 26 local time. Malaysia will be President Trump’s first stop on his Asian tour.
Trump’s trip comes amid a four-week U.S. government shutdown with no end in sight, and as the second-term president threatens to impose nearly triple tariffs on Chinese imports on Nov. 1 unless he agrees to a new trade deal with China.
China has already enacted retaliatory taxes, halting key imports from the United States such as soybeans and restricting sales of rare earth minerals to the United States.
Here’s what you need to know about President Trump’s trip to Asia.
When will Trump go to Asia?
According to the White House, Trump’s first stop in Asia will be Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The president is scheduled to arrive on Sunday morning, October 26 local time.
After spending Sunday in Malaysia, President Trump will fly to Tokyo, Japan on Monday, October 27th, and is scheduled to meet with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the morning of October 28th.
President Trump will then visit Busan, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 29th, where he will meet with leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and address a luncheon, before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, October 30th.
President Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal with China as U.S. farmers worry about a sharp drop in fall crop prices.
USA TODAY’s Bart Hansen contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
