Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea "in a couple of weeks," as the nation prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at the end of the month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made these remarks during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. This comes as trade tensions between the United States and China have intensified following Beijing's decision to implement stricter export controls on rare earths, crucial components in the production of various military and commercial products.

Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions, stating, "China wants to talk, and we like talking to China." He emphasized the strong relationship between the two countries and the anticipated meeting in South Korea. Trump also highlighted the strength of the U.S. position due to his tariff policy, suggesting that a potential trade deal could be reached.

The President had previously criticized China's export control measures and threatened to cancel the planned meeting with Xi. He announced plans to impose an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1, along with export controls on critical software. Trump hinted at the possibility of advancing the tariff plan if necessary, noting that China was not in favor of such measures.

Trump also addressed the issue of fair treatment in trade relationships with South Korea, Japan, and the European Union, emphasizing the importance of tariffs for U.S. national security. In a separate interview with Fox Business, Trump mentioned a "separate" meeting with Xi in South Korea, underscoring the significance of the bilateral discussions.

During his remarks, Trump softened his tone regarding the tariff plan against China, acknowledging its unsustainability while expressing confidence in the future of U.S.-China relations. He praised President Xi as a strong leader and reiterated the necessity of a fair trade deal, citing past grievances against China.

Diplomatic sources in Seoul indicated that both Trump and Xi are likely to visit South Korea for the APEC summit, scheduled to occur in Gyeongju on October 31 and November 1. Trump's visit is expected to span two days, beginning on October 29, during which he will engage in summit talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.