Trump Sets Priorities for Meeting with Xi Jinping at Asia-Pacific Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his upcoming talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea will focus on four main issues: rare minerals, fentanyl, soybeans, and Taiwan.

Trump stated in remarks made aboard Air Force One that Washington will not allow Beijing to control the rare minerals market, threatening to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% if China does not comply with usage and export controls.

He added that the fentanyl issue will also be a major topic of discussion, noting that the export of this substance from China has contributed to the worsening opioid crisis in the United States, emphasizing that his country demands a complete halt to its production and trade.

Regarding agricultural trade, Trump pointed out that China's cessation of purchasing American soybeans and its shift towards South American markets has caused economic pressure on American farmers, who represent a strong electoral support base for him.

The U.S. President confirmed that the Taiwan issue will be present at the summit, stressing that China's regional ambitions regarding the island will be discussed as part of a package of unresolved political and economic issues, without clarifying whether Washington is prepared to make trade concessions in exchange for Beijing's stance on Taiwan.

In a related context, Trump renewed his threat to impose tougher tariffs on Chinese imports if negotiations fail before November 1, indicating that potential measures could include halting shipments of commercial aircraft parts to China.

He affirmed that relations with Beijing are at a "sensitive yet constructive" stage, expressing confidence in the possibility of reaching a "fair and wonderful trade agreement," as he put it.

For his part, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott P. Amundson revealed upcoming preliminary talks with the Chinese side in Malaysia, aimed at setting the stage before the anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi on the sidelines of the summit.