'I respect him a lot': Trump praises Xi ahead of meeting in South Korea on Thursday

Optimism grew Monday that US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping will end their bruising trade war during talks this week, as the US president touched down in Tokyo on the latest leg of an Asian tour. Trump said en route to close US ally Japan that he was hopeful of a deal when he sees Xi on Thursday, while also indicating he was willing to extend his trip in order to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "I have a lot of respect for President Xi and we are going to I think... come away with a deal," Trump told reporters on Air Force One, adding that he aimed to go to China "in the earlier part" of 2026. The optimism boosted stock markets, with Japan's Nikkei surpassing 50,000 points for the first time. As dozens of people gathered at Haneda Airport to take photos, the presidential plane - also bearing secretary of state Marco Rubio and treasury secretary Scott Bessent - landed at sunset. Sporting a golden tie, Trump boarded a helicopter to take him into the bright lights of the Japanese metropolis in time for an evening audience with the emperor. "A great man," Trump said. On Tuesday, Trump is expected to meet new conservative PM Sanae Takaichi and make a speech on the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, docked at the US naval base Yokosuka.

"I hear phenomenal things. (Takaichi) was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend," the US President said, referring to the assassinated former premier. Trump is due to meet Xi on Thursday in South Korea for their first face-to-face talks since Trump's return to the White House. Before Trump's arrival in Malaysia, Bessent and China's Vice Premier He Lifeng held two days of trade talks, seeking an agreement to avoid additional 100% tariffs due from Nov 1. Negotiators from China and the US have said a "framework" has been agreed.