The second day of trade talks between the U.S. and China was paving the way for a "productive meeting" between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, Washington's top trade envoy said in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday,

The swing through Malaysia, Japan and South Korea is expected to test President Trump’s skills as a statesman and negotiator.

D onald Trump has always talked tough about China. He returned to the White House in January gunning for a renewed trade war and demanding that Beijing suppress the illicit fentanyl trade, which kills tens of thousands of Americans each year. What he seems not to have planned for is the response: China is getting tough on Trump.

Trump's Asia summit tour includes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other regional leaders as trade tensions with Beijing escalate.

Concern is increasing throughout Southeast Asia as U.S. officials, intent on slowing China, have yet to say how they will define the origin country of imports.

Trump predicted he would reach a 'fantastic' trade deal with China's President Xi Jinping, despite disputes about tariffs and rare earths.

While there are multiple players in the global trade dance, the key to Trump's success or failure is China. And Trump's scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of Apec – the first since 2019 – could set the course for US-China relations for the rest of Trump's second term in office.

Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces significant foreign policy challenges just days after taking office