Diplomatic deluge: Who is meeting whom and where during a busy week in Asia

Key Concepts

ASEAN Leaders Summit: A major gathering of Southeast Asian nations' leaders.
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit: A regional economic forum.
US-China Trade War: Ongoing trade disputes between the United States and China.
Denuclearization: The process of eliminating nuclear weapons.
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ): A buffer zone between North and South Korea.
Hyper-speed Diplomacy: Intense and rapid diplomatic engagements.

Diplomatic Calendar: Key Events and Meetings

The transcript highlights a period of intense diplomatic activity in Asia, with two significant high-level events: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders Summit and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

ASEAN Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur

Date: This weekend (specific date not provided in transcript).
Host: Malaysia.
Attendees: Leaders from the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the EU, and South Africa.
Notable Presence: China's Premier will also be attending.

President Donald Trump's Asia Tour

Japan (October 27th onwards for 3 days):
- Purpose: Meeting with Japan's new Prime Minister, Suga.
South Korea (Gyeongju):
- Event: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
- Key Meetings:
  - October 29th: Meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
  - October 30th: Meeting with China's President Xi Jinping.
- Significance of US-China Meeting: This meeting is crucial as the world's two largest economies are yet to resolve their worsening trade war.
- Other Meetings: President Trump will also meet with Japan's Prime Minister and other APEC leaders in Gyeongju.

Potential Wild Card: North Korea Engagement

A significant point of speculation is whether President Trump will attempt to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Previous Encounter: In 2019, an impromptu meeting occurred at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where President Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to cross into North Korea.
Trump's Stance: President Trump has expressed openness to a fourth summit with Kim Jong-un, whom he describes as a "smart guy."
North Korea's Condition: Kim Jong-un has suggested a return to talks contingent on the U.S. dropping its "obsession with denuclearization of his country."
Uncertainty: The transcript notes that "something is set in stone either way," indicating that any potential meeting or lack thereof remains a wildcard.

Broader Diplomatic Issues

The upcoming period is characterized by "hyper-speed diplomacy" with a wide range of issues on the agenda.

Topics: Trade and tariffs, pressing economic matters, and security concerns.

Conclusion

The coming days are set to be a period of intense diplomatic engagement in Asia, driven by the ASEAN Leaders Summit and the APEC Summit. Key meetings include those between President Trump and the leaders of Japan, South Korea, and China, with the ongoing US-China trade war being a central focus. The potential for a meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un adds another layer of unpredictability to this "hyper-speed diplomacy" period, which will address critical economic and security issues across the region.