President Trump Embarks on Asia Trip Amid Ongoing US Government Shutdown
In a time of heightened uncertainty at home, President Trump has set off on his first trip to Asia this term, where he aims to tackle pressing issues with key international partners. As the US government shutdown enters its second week, the President's visit comes as a respite from the domestic crisis.
Trump's three-nation tour is focused on investment deals and peace efforts, with China at the top of his agenda. He is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, where they will discuss ways to de-escalate their trade war. The talks come after months of escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have rattled the global economy.
The President's first stop is Malaysia, where he will attend a regional summit and meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Trump has also sent condolences to the people of Thailand following the death of Queen Mother Sirikit. The trip comes as Malaysia and the US are working to address a skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia.
From there, Trump heads to Japan and South Korea, where he is expected to make progress on talks for at least $900 billion in investments for US factories and other projects. The visit also marks Trump's first since Japan elected its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who is a protรฉgรฉ of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Despite the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many federal workers without pay and disrupted air traffic, Trump appears to be maintaining a business-as-usual approach. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has criticized the President's decision to embark on the trip, saying "America is shut down and the President is skipping town."
The US-China trade talks reconvened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday morning, ahead of Trump's arrival. The Treasury spokesperson said that China has substantially cut back on its future purchases of Russian oil after the US imposed sanctions on Moscow's two biggest oil companies.
During his flight to Malaysia, Trump mentioned that he may be discussing purchases of Russian oil with Xi Jinping. However, it is unclear how much progress can be made on this front during the meeting.
Trump hopes to achieve a complete deal from his meeting with China, which will involve discussions on fentanyl and other issues. He believes there is a "really good chance" of making a comprehensive agreement, which would benefit both US farmers and Chinese interests.
The President's trip comes as the global economy remains volatile, with trade tensions between major powers continuing to simmer. The outcome of Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping will be closely watched by investors and policymakers around the world.
				
			In a time of heightened uncertainty at home, President Trump has set off on his first trip to Asia this term, where he aims to tackle pressing issues with key international partners. As the US government shutdown enters its second week, the President's visit comes as a respite from the domestic crisis.
Trump's three-nation tour is focused on investment deals and peace efforts, with China at the top of his agenda. He is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, where they will discuss ways to de-escalate their trade war. The talks come after months of escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have rattled the global economy.
The President's first stop is Malaysia, where he will attend a regional summit and meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Trump has also sent condolences to the people of Thailand following the death of Queen Mother Sirikit. The trip comes as Malaysia and the US are working to address a skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia.
From there, Trump heads to Japan and South Korea, where he is expected to make progress on talks for at least $900 billion in investments for US factories and other projects. The visit also marks Trump's first since Japan elected its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who is a protรฉgรฉ of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Despite the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many federal workers without pay and disrupted air traffic, Trump appears to be maintaining a business-as-usual approach. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has criticized the President's decision to embark on the trip, saying "America is shut down and the President is skipping town."
The US-China trade talks reconvened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday morning, ahead of Trump's arrival. The Treasury spokesperson said that China has substantially cut back on its future purchases of Russian oil after the US imposed sanctions on Moscow's two biggest oil companies.
During his flight to Malaysia, Trump mentioned that he may be discussing purchases of Russian oil with Xi Jinping. However, it is unclear how much progress can be made on this front during the meeting.
Trump hopes to achieve a complete deal from his meeting with China, which will involve discussions on fentanyl and other issues. He believes there is a "really good chance" of making a comprehensive agreement, which would benefit both US farmers and Chinese interests.
The President's trip comes as the global economy remains volatile, with trade tensions between major powers continuing to simmer. The outcome of Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping will be closely watched by investors and policymakers around the world.
 so much drama and no clear results...im thinking china might just take advantage of this tho
 so much drama and no clear results...im thinking china might just take advantage of this tho  any progress without actual progress would be weird, doesnt feel right...
 any progress without actual progress would be weird, doesnt feel right...
 I'm low-key worried about this trip though, fam... Like, have you seen the US budget? It's a mess! And now the Prez is out there shaking hands with Xi, while the domestic situation is still super chaotic. The trade war is getting more intense by the day
 I'm low-key worried about this trip though, fam... Like, have you seen the US budget? It's a mess! And now the Prez is out there shaking hands with Xi, while the domestic situation is still super chaotic. The trade war is getting more intense by the day  .
. . Meanwhile, the global economy is still reeling from all these trade tensions
. Meanwhile, the global economy is still reeling from all these trade tensions  .
. . And if they do, it could be a big win for both US farmers and China... but what about the rest of us?
. And if they do, it could be a big win for both US farmers and China... but what about the rest of us? 
 . We need some real action here, not just empty promises
. We need some real action here, not just empty promises  .
. ? It feels like we're in some kinda video game where politics doesn't affect real life
? It feels like we're in some kinda video game where politics doesn't affect real life  . I mean, I guess it's good that he's talkin' to China 'bout trade and all but what about the American people who are sufferin'? They're over here without paychecks
. I mean, I guess it's good that he's talkin' to China 'bout trade and all but what about the American people who are sufferin'? They're over here without paychecks  and air traffic is a mess
 and air traffic is a mess  . It just feels like we're gettin' played by the President's business agenda
. It just feels like we're gettin' played by the President's business agenda 
 So I'm thinking that this whole thing with the US government shutdown is kinda crazy right now
 So I'm thinking that this whole thing with the US government shutdown is kinda crazy right now  ๏ธ. It's like, what's going on? Can't they see that they're missing out on some serious business opportunities?
๏ธ. It's like, what's going on? Can't they see that they're missing out on some serious business opportunities?  . And those trade talks with China are super important for the US economy
. And those trade talks with China are super important for the US economy  . But at the same time, it's hard to predict how things are gonna play out
. But at the same time, it's hard to predict how things are gonna play out  . Like, how many people are actually getting paid while their government is shut down? And what about all the workers who are being furloughed or something? It's just really messed up
. Like, how many people are actually getting paid while their government is shut down? And what about all the workers who are being furloughed or something? It's just really messed up  .
.

 . IT'S A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IF THEY CAN GET A COMPLETE DEAL DONE, IT COULD BLOW OPEN THE FLOODGATES FOR SOME MAJOR INVESTMENTS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
. IT'S A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IF THEY CAN GET A COMPLETE DEAL DONE, IT COULD BLOW OPEN THE FLOODGATES FOR SOME MAJOR INVESTMENTS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH  . IT'S LIKE, WHO WILL WIN THIS GAME?
. IT'S LIKE, WHO WILL WIN THIS GAME? 
 . I mean, what's next? He's gonna go golfing in Asia while the country is shutdown
. I mean, what's next? He's gonna go golfing in Asia while the country is shutdown  . Newsflash, Donald: people are struggling at home because of your policies. Don't think for a sec that we're all forgetting about it just 'cause you're out there schmoozing with Xi
. Newsflash, Donald: people are struggling at home because of your policies. Don't think for a sec that we're all forgetting about it just 'cause you're out there schmoozing with Xi  Still a lot to unpack on that fentanyl deal...
 Still a lot to unpack on that fentanyl deal... 


 . And it's all about the China trade thingy, right? Maybe he should focus on fixing what's broken here at home instead of playing hardball with Beijing?
. And it's all about the China trade thingy, right? Maybe he should focus on fixing what's broken here at home instead of playing hardball with Beijing? 
 . I wish she was still alive. Anyway, back to Trump... is he really good at this diplomacy thing?
. I wish she was still alive. Anyway, back to Trump... is he really good at this diplomacy thing?  anyway, i guess its good that he's trying to make some deals with china and japan, they could def use more investments. but, gotta wonder what kinda discussions he has with xi Jinping about russian oil... does china really want to get involved in all that?
 anyway, i guess its good that he's trying to make some deals with china and japan, they could def use more investments. but, gotta wonder what kinda discussions he has with xi Jinping about russian oil... does china really want to get involved in all that? 
 . This guy's got more twists than a Tokyo ramen noodle
. This guy's got more twists than a Tokyo ramen noodle  .
. ๏ธ. And now we're waiting with bated breath for him to make some progress on those Russian oil purchases
๏ธ. And now we're waiting with bated breath for him to make some progress on those Russian oil purchases  ... sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me
... sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me  .
. Like, isn't that what's supposed to be happening right now - figuring out how to fix things instead of gallivanting around Asia?
 Like, isn't that what's supposed to be happening right now - figuring out how to fix things instead of gallivanting around Asia?  . Just hope he brings back some real results instead of just taking selfies in front of pretty backdrops
. Just hope he brings back some real results instead of just taking selfies in front of pretty backdrops 