Trump is likely to meet Chinese President Xi in South Korea next month

New York: US President Donald Trump may well meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit taking place next month in South Korean city of Gyeongju.

The leaders of the world’s largest economy are going to meet just as the relationship between them remains strained. The meeting is announced days after Xi hosted Kim, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Beijing recently, India Today reported.

At the upcoming bilateral meeting, both leaders will reportedly focus on trade and security relations.

During a phone call last month, president Xi invited Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to visit China, which the US president reportedly accepted.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has formally invited Trump to attend the APEC summit.

President Trump is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the gathering; it is not certain that the North Korean leader would attend the meeting, although Trump expressed willingness to meet Kim again.

Last week Xi hosted prominent leaders including president Putin, PM Modi and Kim in Beijing during the Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.

Criticising the high-profile meeting, Trump said ‘Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!’.

Accusing the leaders of conspiring against the US, Trump said on social media: ‘May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.’

However, President Trump later softening his tone said his country’s ties with India remained ‘very well’.

President Trump’s meeting with Xi is going to take place against the backdrop of intensifying trade war between both countries.