Trump arrives in South Korea to eye trade deal with China amid North Korean missile test

U.S. President Donald Trump has touched down in South Korea for a two-day visit aimed at advancing critical trade negotiations, with his arrival coinciding with a North Korean cruise missile test in its western waters.

Trump, concluding the final leg of his Asia tour, is scheduled to meet South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Gyeongju before a much-anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

Speaking after landing, Reuters cited Trump saying he expects to sign a “good deal” with Xi, noting that a framework agreed earlier this week involves a reduction in U.S. tariffs in exchange for the removal of Chinese export controls on rare earth minerals.

Trump also addressed the issue of fentanyl, signalling potential tariff rollbacks in return for Chinese cooperation in curbing exports of chemicals used to produce the drug.

“I expect to be lowering that because I believe that they're going to help us with the fentanyl situation.

“They're going to be doing what they can do,” he said. “We haven't talked about the timing yet, but we're going to work out something… and I think we're going to make a big step with fentanyl.”

The U.S. president’s visit comes amid ongoing protests across Seoul, where demonstrators held placards depicting Trump in unflattering caricatures and accusing the U.S. of “robbery, not negotiation.”

Trump also weighed in on recent Israeli military action in Gaza, asserting that Israel was justified in striking back after an Israeli soldier was killed.

“They took out, they killed an Israeli soldier, so the Israelis hit back and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back,” he said, despite controversy surrounding the strikes, which reportedly killed 26 people and drew condemnation from Turkey.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to contend with a government shutdown entering its 29th day, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticising the lack of progress.

“We are in a healthcare crisis, and Republicans don’t even want to talk about how to fix it. Donald Trump isn’t even in the country!” he said. - October 29, 2025