WASHINGTON: The United States President Donald Trump said Monday (Oct 20) that he will soon travel to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, while saying he also wants "to be good to China," Kyodo News reported.
Despite renewed trade tensions between the United States and China, Trump again struck an optimistic tone ahead of a possible meeting next week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
"We're going to have a fair deal. I want to be good to China. I love my relationship with President Xi," Trump said at the White House during a lengthy exchange with reporters as he met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"We thought that would be a good place to meet, and we're going to be meeting. I'll be in Malaysia, I'll be in Japan," Trump said.
Trump has repeatedly said he is scheduled to hold one-on-one talks with Xi when both travel to South Korea for an Asia-Pacific economic summit in late October.
But it is the first time Trump has publicly mentioned his plans to visit Malaysia and Japan as well. He did not elaborate further.
Japanese government sources have said that Trump is expected to make a three-day visit to Japan from Oct 27 after travelling to Malaysia for a separate regional conference involving Southeast Asian countries and their partners.
After his Japan visit, Trump will travel to South Korea, according to the sources.
The upcoming Asia trip will be his first to the region since his nonconsecutive second term began in January. - Bernama
