Busan: United States President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping concluded their high-level meeting as Trump left for Washington after more than an hour’s meeting in Busan. Trump was seen leaving with Air Force One at Gimhae Air Base, Busan, at around 1.07 pm local time (Malaysia time 12.07 pm). It is likely the two countries may issue a joint statement later today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, earlier during the meeting, Xi said both countries should be partners and friends, describing that it is normal for two superpowers to have frictions at times. Although this is the first time the two leaders met after six years, Xi said both leaders have spoken over the phone three times, exchanged letters, and remained in close contact since Trump started his second administration. Xi emphasized the importance of steering China-US relations in the right direction and expressed his belief in the joint development of both nations.

Trump, meanwhile, described Xi as a great leader of a great country and expressed optimism about the future relationship between the US and China, stating that they are going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time. The two leaders’ last meeting was in 2019 during the G20 summit.

It is expected that any outcome from the meeting between the two biggest economies would likely have a significant impact on the global trade order, influencing future trade and investments around the world in the coming months. Busan, which is located more than an hour’s drive from Gyeongju, is currently the host for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) that begins tomorrow.

South Korea was the last leg of Trump’s Asia tour, following visits to Malaysia and Japan. Yesterday, the US president delivered a special address at the APEC CEO’s Summit and held a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.