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President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea, President Donald Trump of the US, President Xi Jinping of China, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan will all convene in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, for the APEC summit there on Oct. 29, 2025. (Yonhap)

Starting Wednesday, US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and other world leaders will gather in the South Korean city of Gyeongju to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economic leaders’ meeting. Taking place from Friday through Saturday amid a wave of global change driven by the commercialization of artificial intelligence and robotics, and the geopolitical turmoil caused by the US-initiated tariff war, this summit is expected to be a high-stakes diplomatic event that could reshape the global economy and international order.
 
The main event of the APEC gathering is the US-China summit meeting, scheduled for Thursday. Trump, visiting Korea for a two-day trip, will arrive on Wednesday and hold a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, followed by one with Xi Jinping. 

Xi, who will be visiting Korea for the first time in 11 years, is expected to hold a summit with Trump immediately upon his arrival on Thursday. The Naraemaru reception hall at Gimhae International Airport is expected to be used for the occasion. 

China recently announced export controls on rare earths targeting the global market, to which Trump declared a 100% additional tariff on Chinese goods entering the US starting Nov. 1, escalating tensions between the two nations. However, given the significant burden both sides will face if they walk away from the summit without striking any deals, there is the possibility of a certain level of diplomatic compromise. 

The South Korean government is also paying special attention to the visits of the two leaders. This marks the first time both the US and Chinese leaders are visiting South Korea for state visits at the same time.
 
Should a surprise encounter between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un materialize, it could become another major event following the US-China summit. Trump has consistently expressed interest in getting together for talks with Kim. Even if they meet, however, it will be difficult to reach any meaningful conclusions on core issues such as North Korea's nuclear program. However, North Korea-US relations, which have grown tense since the breakdown of talks in Hanoi in 2019, could ride a wave of dramatic change if the two leaders meet.

Monitors at Seoul Station display a promotional video for APEC 2025 on Oct. 24, 2025. (Yonhap)

 For South Korea, the summit with the US is of paramount importance. The meeting between Trump and Lee is expected to take place at the Gyeongju National Museum on Wednesday. Lee’s summits with Xi and Takaichi are also highly significant bilateral meetings for South Korea.
 
In addition to visits from leaders of the US, China, and Japan, this APEC summit will bring official visits to South Korea by leaders from major countries, including Canada and Singapore. Both Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong are scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Lee before and after the APEC summit.
 
Among Latin American leaders, Chilean President Gabriel Boric is the only one who has confirmed attendance at APEC. In Peru, protests have intensified following the president’s impeachment, casting uncertainty over President José Jeri’s participation.
 
Another focus of the APEC gathering is whether a joint leaders’ declaration worthy of being called the “Gyeongju Declaration” will emerge, and if so, whether it will include references to free trade. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated Thursday that whether free trade would be mentioned in the declaration “remains contested.” 

Joint declarations from APEC summits held from 2021 through last year all included the phrase “a rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.” However, with the recent spread of protectionism and trade conflicts among major nations shaking the free trade order, observers predict it will be difficult to reach an agreement at this year's meeting on par with previous years.

By Seo Young-ji, staff reporter

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