Trump Hints at Prospective Trade Agreement with China Amid Ongoing Asia Tour in Japan

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President Donald Trump embarked on the second stop of his three-nation Asian tour Monday, arriving in Japan for discussions with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

During this visit, Trump is expected to highlight Japan’s significant $550 billion investment in the U.S., underscoring the economic ties between the two nations.

The president’s journey began with a summit in Malaysia on Sunday, and he is scheduled to continue to South Korea next, where he’ll participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference.

This tour is drawing significant attention, particularly in light of the recent announcement about a potential trade agreement framework between the U.S. and China. The details of this framework are anticipated to be a key topic of discussion when President Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.

If a deal is reached, millions of Americans in the agriculture, manufacturing and tech sectors would feel the effects. The trade agreement could help avoid 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, set to take effect Nov. 1.

President Donald Trump is directed by Japanese Emperor Naruhito during their meeting at the Imperial Palace on Oct. 27, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kazuhiro Nogi – Pool/Getty Images)
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a policy speech at the extraordinary session of parliament’s lower house Oct. 24, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
President Donald Trump addresses during the ASEAN U.S. Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, Pool)

“We’re going to do well with China, we’ll meet with President Xi in South Korea, and I think we’ll have a good deal with them,” Trump said during the ASEAN summit on Sunday. “They want to make a deal, and we want to make a deal.”

China’s top trade negotiator said reciprocal tariffs, fentanyl export controls and controls on rare earth minerals were all discussed in Malaysia over the weekend.

“Both sides engaged in constructive discussions. The United States was firm, while China remained resolute in safeguarding its interests,” Chinese trade representative Li Chenggang said in part.

Trump has suggested that, after the South Korea meeting, his next face-to-face with Xi will take place in the U.S. — either in Washington or Mar-a-Lago.

While it’s only meant to be a three-stop tour, Trump said he’s open to extending his trip and heading to North Korea for a meeting with Kim Jong Un, though a change in plans appeared unlikely Monday morning.

NewsNation’s Anna Kutz and Jordan Perkins contributed to this report.