▲ U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks as he and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hold a press conference on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15, 2025, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

Trump-Xi-meeting

Trump still expecting to meet Xi in S. Korea: Bessent

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump is still expecting to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday, as Korea is preparing to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set to begin late this month.

Bessent made the remarks during a press conference, as a recent flare-up of tensions between the United States and China over Beijing's move to expand export controls on rare earths has cast uncertainty over the much-anticipated meeting between the leaders in Korea.

"I will say that I believe, as last time I saw President Trump which was last night, he is still expecting to see Party Chair Xi in Korea," the secretary said.

On Friday, Trump said there appears to be "no reason" to meet Xi, as he excoriated Beijing for its export control move, which he called an "extraordinarily aggressive" one. Later, Trump struck a more cautious tone, saying he will be in South Korea "regardless" and that he would assume he might have a meeting with Xi.

Trump took issue with China's export control measure as the U.S. has been sensitive to China's restrictions on rare earths -- critical elements used in the production of electronic devices, weapons systems and other consumer tech products.

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