High-Stakes Diplomatic Meeting Looms at APEC Summit

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced President Trump's scheduled 'pull-aside' meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit amid tensions over export controls. Bessent aims to resolve issues with China's Vice Premier before the summit, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue.

Amid escalating tensions over export controls, a crucial 'pull-aside' meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has been set for the APEC summit in South Korea. This announcement was made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday.

Bessent is poised to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia to address disputes regarding China's rare-earth export controls, with the aim of forestalling possible U.S. retaliation. His objective is to resolve these issues ahead of the summit scheduled for October 31 to November 1.

Highlighting the importance of diplomacy, Bessent remarked that a meaningful dialogue at the summit would be far more constructive for both nations than focusing on existing problems during what would be Trump and Xi's first in-person encounter since the start of Trump's second term.

(With inputs from agencies.)