US-China Trade Talks to Resume Amid Tensions

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has downplayed trade tensions with the US and welcomed President Donald Trump as a 'peacemaker' in the region, particularly regarding North Korea. Lee expressed hope that Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would engage in dialogue during Trump's upcoming visit to Asia. Despite recent trade disputes and tariff threats between the US and South Korea, Lee remains optimistic about reaching a mutually acceptable trade deal. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a delicate balance in relationships with both the US and China, highlighting the complexity of international diplomacy.

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng is set to hold trade talks with US officials in Malaysia from Friday to Monday, China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday. The consultations will cover key issues in China-US economic and trade relations, marking the fifth round of trade talks between the two nations. The meeting comes amid heightened trade tensions between the countries, with the US imposing economic sanctions and export controls, and threatening 100% tariff hikes. The talks are seen as a prelude to an expected meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in South Korea.

US President Donald Trump expects to reach agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their upcoming meeting in South Korea, potentially covering trade, soya bean purchases, and nuclear arms. Trump downplayed the impact of China's export curbs on rare earth magnets, calling it a 'disturbance.' US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are headed to Asia to prepare for the meeting and defuse tensions over Beijing's rare earth export curbs. The US is considering retaliatory measures against China, including curbing software-powered exports.