Trump's Diplomatic Showdown: Fentanyl, Trade Wars, and Asian Alliances

President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week during a trip to Asia, confirming the meeting despite intensified trade tensions. The White House announcement comes amid growing concerns over the U.S.-China trade war and other strategic issues.

Trump’s itinerary includes meetings with leaders from Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The U.S.-China meeting will take place shortly after Trump addresses the APEC CEO Summit. The ongoing trade war escalated after China's export restrictions on rare earths, and Trump's optimism hints at potential resolutions.

A key agenda for Trump’s discussion with Xi will be the issue of fentanyl, with Washington accusing Beijing of not controlling the shipment of chemicals crucial for its production. Trump plans to address this pressing issue immediately with Xi to curb overdose deaths linked to the drug.