US President Donald Trump departed for Asia on Friday, embarking on high-stakes trade negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump is scheduled to meet Xi in South Korea on the final day of his regional tour, aiming to broker a deal to end the ongoing trade war between the world's two largest economies. 

In addition to South Korea, Trump will visit Malaysia and Japan, marking his first trip to Asia since returning to the White House in January amid a climate of tariffs and international dealmaking.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed optimism for a "very good meeting" with Xi, anticipating that China will agree to a deal to prevent further 100 percent tariffs set to take effect on November 1. 

As Trump departed Washington, speculation grew over a potential meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the Korean peninsula, which would be their first encounter since 2019.