Trump says he wants to meet Kim Jong Un on Asia trip

October 25, 2025

Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed openness to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming Asia trip, citing their "great relationship" despite past failed denuclearization talks. Trump, who previously made history as the first sitting U.S. president to enter North Korea in 2019, will visit Malaysia and Japan, with plans to meet various world leaders including China's Xi Jinping amid ongoing trade tensions. Kim has indicated willingness to meet Trump again if the U.S. drops its "absurd" demand for North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons, while South Korea's Unification Minister suggested there's a "considerable" chance of such a meeting during Trump's visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.

Who is affected

North Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un
South Korea and its leader Lee Jae Myung
China and President Xi Jinping
Southeast Asian nations participating in the ASEAN summit
Asia-Pacific nations involved in the APEC forum
U.S. trade interests and diplomatic relations in Asia
Citizens of countries involved in potential nuclear negotiations

What action is being taken

Trump is traveling to Malaysia and Japan to meet with world leaders
Trump and China are holding off on triple-digit tariffs while seeking a trade agreement
Trump is planning to meet with South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung in Busan
Trump is attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia
Trump is participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in South Korea

Why it matters

Trump could potentially become the first U.S. president to meet with Kim Jong Un for a fourth time
The meeting could impact North Korea's nuclear weapons program, as Kim refuses to give up nuclear weapons
North Korea has conducted multiple tests of intercontinental missiles since their last meetings
Trump's meeting with Xi comes amid a trade war and disputes over rare earth minerals, which are essential for electronics
South Korea's leader is open to a deal where North Korea would freeze production of nuclear weapons
China currently controls about 90% of refined rare earth mineral exports, which are crucial for many electronics

What's next

Trump is expected to land in Busan, South Korea on Wednesday for the APEC summit
Trump will meet South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung, who previously discussed peace on the Korean peninsula
A senior U.S. official indicated a meeting with Kim is not currently on Trump's schedule

Read full article from source: BBC