Bessent Adds Seoul Stop Before Trump-Xi's 2-Day Beijing Summit
Updated
Updated · UPI News · May 11
Bessent Adds Seoul Stop Before Trump-Xi's 2-Day Beijing Summit
13 articles · Updated · UPI News · May 11
Scott Bessent said he will travel Monday to Japan and South Korea, then meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Seoul on Wednesday before heading to Beijing for the Trump-Xi summit.
Thursday-Friday talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing are the backdrop for the trip, with Bessent framing the meetings as part of an "America First" economic agenda and trade discussions.
Seoul is expected to use Bessent's brief stop to discuss foreign exchange and broader financial issues, though local media said no meetings with Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol had been finalized because of scheduling constraints.
South Korea's foreign ministry said it is coordinating closely with both Washington and Beijing on arrangements, taking into account Bessent's single-day stay and China's separate announcement that He will visit South Korea this week.
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Seoul as Strategic Ground: U.S.-China Economic Security Talks and the 2026 Trump-Xi Summit
Overview
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will visit Seoul on May 13, 2026, as a key step before the summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping. The main goal of Bessent’s trip is to hold trade talks with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, reflecting the Trump administration’s focus on its 'America First Economic Agenda' and the belief that economic security is national security. Seoul was chosen as a neutral venue for these sensitive U.S.-China discussions, highlighting its strategic role. Vice Premier He Lifeng’s participation shows how important these talks are for Beijing.