Key Takeaways From Trump’s Asia Trip

Oct 31, 2025 - 11:05 Updated: Oct 31, 2025 - 02:29

Gyeongju, SOUTH KOREA—U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his whirlwind three-nation tour of Asia on Oct. 30, marked by high-stakes summits, major trade and investment agreements, a peace pact, and a closely watched meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Here are the key takeaways from what Trump described as his “historic trip to Asia.”

1-Year US–China Deal

Following months of negotiations and friction between U.S. and Chinese trade envoys, Trump and Xi met for nearly two hours in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, reaching a one-year truce on some contentious issues.

“A lot of decisions were made,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way back to Washington. “We’ve come to [a] conclusion on many very important points.”

Later, in a Truth Social post, Trump touted the deal, stating that China has agreed to order “massive amounts of Soybeans, Sorghum, and other Farm products” from the United States.

Additionally, China would continue the shipments of rare earths, critical minerals, and magnets “openly and freely,” Trump wrote. The president also said Beijing could make “large-scale” purchases of Alaskan oil and gas. He didn’t mention whether a deal was reached on TikTok.

In exchange, Trump agreed to cut fentanyl-related tariffs on China in half, from the 20 percent rate imposed in January to 10 percent. With this change, overall tariffs on Chinese goods came down to 47 percent, according to Trump.

(L-R) U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attend talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The president told reporters that the agreement will be renegotiated annually, though he expressed hope it “will go on for a long time—long beyond a year.”

However, Beijing has a track record of failing to meet its commitments. On Oct. 24, the Trump administration filed an investigation into whether China complied with the terms of the “Phase One” trade deal signed during Trump’s first term.

A statement from China was released hours after the meeting, suggesting that more talks are needed to finalize agreements.

Flurry of Rare Earths Deals

Trump prioritized securing stable supplies of critical minerals and rare earths while on his Asian excursion, signing deals with Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam.

The deals are part of the administration’s effort to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on China, aiming to stabilize the supply of raw materials essential to electronics, communications equipment, and military hardware. Partnering nations agreed to limit export controls and collaborate on supply chain investment and protection initiatives.

In a memorandum of understanding signed with Malaysia, the United States also offered to help the Indo-Pacific nation develop its capabilities to mine and process rare earths and other elements in high demand.

Rare earths were also a central topic in Trump’s meeting with Xi, as Beijing had restricted shipments of some critical materials recently.

“We focused on export controls of China on rare earth, and they’re going to keep those flowing,” Trump told reporters after his talk with the Chinese leader.

“All of the rare earth has been settled, and that’s for the world,” he said, noting what he described as a widespread benefit for nations around the globe.

Strengthened Ties With Japan

On the second leg of his tour of Asia, Trump met with the newly elected prime minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, the first woman in the nation’s history to hold the position.

The warm relationship between the two leaders was notable during the visit.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi listens as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to troops aboard USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, on Oct. 28, 2025. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

“I want to just let you know anytime you have any question, any doubt, anything you want, any favors you need, anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump told Takaichi on Oct. 28. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”

Takaichi agreed, echoing Trump’s comments about the importance of a strong bilateral relationship.

“Japan and the United States will advance together, with our sails raised high, across a free and open sea,” she said.

In Tokyo, Trump signed a framework agreement formalizing Japan’s $550 billion investment commitment to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. He also signed deals on critical minerals, energy, and joint efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking.

During the visit, Takaichi gifted Trump a putter that belonged to assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

$350 Billion US Investment by Seoul

South Korea has agreed to invest $350 billion in the United States following months of negotiations, the two sides announced on Oct. 29 after Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju.

Talks had earlier stalled over Trump’s demand that the full amount be invested up front. Seoul warned that such a big commitment could destabilize its economy, as the sum represents nearly one-fifth of South Korea’s GDP and 72 percent of its government’s budget.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as he receives a gift of a gold crown and an award of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, not seen, during a high honor ceremony at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 29, 2025. Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo

In the end, both sides reached a compromise, with Seoul setting an annual investment cap of $20 billion.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the details of the agreement in a post on X, saying all investments will be approved by Trump. He said the president has already approved $150 billion to revitalize America’s shipbuilding industry and has given the green light to construct nuclear-powered submarines in Philadelphia. The remaining $200 billion will be allocated to projects in energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and technology.

South Asia at Center of US–China Power Struggle

Trump’s first stop was Malaysia, where he attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. He arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26 to a warm welcome on the tarmac, featuring traditional dance performances.

The visit underscored the intensifying competition for influence in the region amid growing rivalry with China.

President Donald Trump entertains Malaysian dancers with his signature "Trump dance" after landing in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025. Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times

During his visit, Trump announced trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia and unveiled reciprocal trade frameworks with Vietnam and Thailand, set to be finalized in the coming weeks. He also presided over a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia.

Southeast Asia has become a strategic battleground as the United States seeks to counter communist China’s growing influence over countries in the region.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also attended the ASEAN summit, noting in his opening remarks that high tariffs are creating challenges for the region, implicitly taking aim at Trump’s tariff measures.