Trump Begins Asia Tour Amid Anticipated Xi Meeting, Regional Peace Deals

President Donald Trump is embarking on a significant Asia tour, with key stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, centered around a high-stakes potential meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping aimed at de-escalating the ongoing trade war between the two largest economies. The tour includes Trump's attendance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, where he is expected to witness a peace accord signing between Thailand and Cambodia, and a visit to Japan for talks with new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, focusing on security, trade, and reducing energy imports from Russia. The trip's climax is the APEC summit in South Korea, where the meeting with Xi Jinping remains uncertain amid tensions, but the visit underscores the importance of U.S. alliances, with South Korea possibly awarding Trump its highest civilian honor. Additionally, Taiwanese officials are actively seeking to influence Trump through aligned podcasters and influencers, concerned about potential concessions to China regarding Taiwan's independence during the talks. The visit has caused host nations to prepare elaborate gestures to accommodate Trump's unpredictable style, highlighting the high stakes for regional stability and the global economy. Analysts caution tempered expectations for breakthroughs, viewing the summit as a data point in ongoing complex geopolitical dynamics.