What we're covering
• Trump in Asia: After President Donald Trump met with South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung, the two countries reached an agreement on trade deal details, according to a South Korean official.
• Xi talks loom: Next up on Trump’s agenda is a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss a potential trade deal with global economic impact.
• Day 29 of stalemate: Back in the US, Democrats and Republicans remain firm in holding their positions despite the shutdown’s shockwaves. Senate Democrats insist the impasse won’t end until Trump gets involved.
• Shutdown impacts: Experts and officials are warning that the effects of the shutdown on the US air traffic control system could linger even after the government reopens. Millions of Americans could lose food stamp benefits within the next few days. And House staffers are set to miss their next paychecks, scheduled for Friday.
House staffers set to miss first paycheck of government shutdown
House staffers have received a notice that they will not receive their next paychecks scheduled for October 31, their first missed paycheck of the government shutdown, according to a notice reviewed by CNN.
“Due to the lapse in appropriations, the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) Office of Payroll and Benefits has no authority to pay salaries until an appropriations continuing resolution or a Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill is signed into law,” the notice states.
House staffers get paid once a month, unlike Senate staffers who get paid twice a month.
Vance calls Rubio "my best friend" in administration and downplays 2028 tension
Vice President JD Vance threw cold water on the idea that any tension would exist between him and Secretary of State Marco Rubio if they both run for president in 2028.
“First of all, no, there’s not going to be any tension. Marco is my best friend of the administration. He and I work a lot together,” Vance said in an interview with the New York Post’s “Pod Force One.”
“So far, I have never woken up and thought to myself, ‘How do I make myself president of the United States?’ What I wake up and think to myself is, ‘How do I do a good job as vice president,’” he added.
While Vance said it’s too early to talk about 2028, his boss doesn’t seem to think so. President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One earlier this week that a Rubio and Vance team would be “unstoppable.”
But Vance said he’s only “joked” about the prospect with Rubio.
“The president first raised this with me probably six months or so ago during just, you know, one of our private lunches,” Vance continued. “And I mentioned to the secretary in jest, but it feels so premature, because we’re still so early.”
When the host noted that Trump doesn’t say, at least publicly, who he thinks should take the top of the ticket, Vance laughed.
“I’m going to work as hard as I can to make the president successful over the next three years and three months, and if we get to a point where something else is in the offer, let’s handle it then, but let’s at least get through the next couple of years,” he said.
Analysis: Why the Xi-Trump meeting is a win for China
For Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a landmark meeting with Donald Trump expected this evening (Thursday morning local time) is a moment to showcase something Beijing has long sought: China standing as an equal to the United States on the global stage.
Trump’s trade war with China has challenged Xi’s drive for growth and innovation, but it’s also given Beijing the unintended gift of a bright spotlight under which to flex its economic strength.
As much of the rest of the world scrambled to flatter Trump and negotiate down global tariffs he unleashed this spring, China fought back with its own measures – until both sides were forced to the table for a truce.
In their first face-to-face meeting of Trump’s second term, they’re expected to agree to a framework for managing their economic ties.
It’s not yet clear what each side has agreed to concede to get to that point – and this is just one touchstone in a complex and volatile competition between superpowers.
But it will also be a moment where Xi is entering the room after cementing a new reality in US-China relations: China will negotiate, but it won’t be cowed.
As Trump continues his Asia tour, get up to speed on the government shutdown in the US
While President Donald Trump is in Asia, back in the US, the government is still shut down for the 29th day.
Republicans’ funding bill to reopen the government failed for a 13th time yesterday as Democrats hold their ground and continue to push for the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Republicans need 60 votes to advance the bill that would fund the government through late November. It’s unclear when the Senate will vote again on a funding bill.
Three senators in the Democratic caucus voted with most Republicans. GOP Sen. Rand Paul voted against advancing the measure.
Impacts from the shutdown are being felt by Americans across the country.
Here’s the latest on the shutdown:
- Travel turmoil: Air traffic controllers received their first $0 paycheck since the shutdown began at the beginning of the month. It came as the Federal Aviation Administration reported staffing shortages and flight delays. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of “longer-term implications” for the federal government shutdown, noting it could impact holiday travel.
- SNAP benefit concerns: Millions of Americans could lose access to the crucial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the coming weeks. The Department of Agriculture has said it does not have the money to pay $8 billion in food stamp benefits for November. Currently, there is a bipartisan bill in the Senate to continue SNAP benefits, but it’s unclear if the standalone legislation will make it to the floor. Here’s a look at key dates that could intensify pressure on lawmakers to end the government shutdown.
- States step in: States are dipping into their own funds to help residents who rely on food stamps. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said his state is building its own food assistance system for residents and South Carolina is activating a statewide charity fund typically used after hurricanes.
- Lawsuit: A coalition of 25 Democratic-run states, plus Washington, DC, sued the Trump administration to prevent billions of dollars of cuts to federal food assistance that are set to kick in this weekend.
South Korea reaches agreement with US on trade deal details, South Korean official tells reporters
South Korea has reached an agreement on the details of a trade deal with the US on Wednesday, presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom told reporters in Gyeongju, following the bilateral meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump.
The agreement on the big frame of the trade deal in July had brought the reciprocal tariff down to 15%, but South Korea’s automobile export was still subject to 25% tariff rate and details on the agreement were not concluded until Trump met with Lee on the sideline of APEC.
Among the $350 billion investments Trump demanded upfront, Kim said that $200 billion will be done in cash and $150 billion through shipbuilding cooperation, which will be led by South Korean companies.
The $200 billion investment will be done over many years, with yearly investment limited to $20 billion depending on the business progress, Kim said.
He added that such limit would make it manageable for South Korean foreign-exchange market, which was the biggest concern for Seoul when asked to originally pay $350 billion in cash.
Wednesday’s agreement will lower automobile tariffs to 15%, same rate as competitor Japan, and semiconductor tariff rate that is not unfavorable compared to rival Taiwan, Kim said.
Trump doesn’t signal a thaw with Canada at small-group dinner
Hours after posting on social media that he “didn’t come to South Korea to see Canada,” President Donald Trump did not appear open to thawing relations with the United States’ northern neighbor today as he attended a dinner with a small group of world leaders that included the country’s prime minister, Mark Carney.
While he offered warm greetings and exchanged pleasantries with many of his other counterparts, Trump did not engage with Carney during a family photo.
Trump and his host, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, stood at the center of the group as Carney stood at the end. At the dinner portion of the event, Trump and Carney were seated across from each other at a table set for eight.
Trump briefly pointed to Carney and the Canadian prime minister gestured back in greeting as the US president took his seat. Carney made a comment to Trump about the ASEAN meeting in Japan, which the president said was a “great meeting.”
Some context: The icy reception comes amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries. Trump said this weekend he would increase tariffs on Canada by 10% over what he called a “fake” ad that featured parts of an anti-tariff speech by former President Ronald Reagan in 1987. He declined to say when the tariffs would go into effect.
During a brief toast, the president thanked Lee for his “red carpet” rollout, touted some of his accomplishments, and looked ahead to his Thursday meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping, which he predicted could go for “three, four hours.”
US trade deal with South Korea "pretty much finalized," Trump says
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the US has “pretty much finalized” a trade deal with South Korea.
“We had a tremendous meeting today with South Korea. … A lot was determined,” Trump said as he spoke during a dinner with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
“We made our deal, pretty much finalized, a trade deal,” he continued.
Earlier today, Trump said that such a deal would be finalized “very soon.”
A golden crown, a medal and the YMCA: How South Korea flattered Trump
US President Donald Trump has been showered with opulence in South Korea, where he’s just wrapped up a meeting with the country’s leader, Lee Jae Myung, on the final leg of his whistle-stop tour of Asia.
Upon arrival, Trump was greeted by a military band playing “YMCA,” the Village People classic that’s become a rallying cry of sorts for the president and his political movement.
He then addressed CEOs at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he touted his tariff policy and hinted that a trade deal with South Korea would be finalized “very soon,” before his meeting with Lee.
Appealing to Trump’s love of gold, South Korea gifted Trump a golden crown, its highest honor and treated him to a gold-themed dessert.
All eyes are now on his upcoming meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday local time, where the leaders are expected to discuss a potential trade deal with global economic impacts.
Trump said he would not meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on this trip to Asia, though he’d previously indicated multiple times that he was open to doing so.
Here’s the latest from South Korea:
- The medal: Trump is the first American leader to receive South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, awarded in recognition of his efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.
- The crown: Lee gifted Trump a replica of a historic golden crown in South Korea, the latest lavish present to be bestowed upon him on his Asia tour.
- The dessert: Rounding out the menu for Trump’s working lunch with Lee was a dessert of “Gold-adorned brownies and tangerines… served on a plate lettered with the word “PEACE” to “celebrate a golden era of the Korea-US alliance,” Lee’s office said.
- What Lee wants: South Korea’s leader is pushing for US approval for his country to acquire fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, which it wants to build to keep up with North Korean and Chinese submarines.
- Defense spending: Lee said he will increase South Korea’s military spending to lessen the “burden” on the US.
- Anti-Trump protests: Trump faced small but vocal protests in Gyeongju, South Korea. Anti-Trump activists held up signs and placards, protesting what organizers described as Trump’s “authoritarian” agenda.
Trump treated to a "gold-themed dessert" in South Korea
South Korea is appealing to US President Donald Trump’s love of gold during his trip to the country this week.
Rounding off the menu for the president’s working lunch with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was a “gold-themed dessert” that is supposed to symbolize “the two nations’ shared commitment to peace and prosperity.”
Gold-adorned brownies and tangerines will be served on a plate lettered with the word “PEACE” to “celebrate a golden era of the Korea-US alliance,” according to Lee’s office.
Earlier, Trump was presented with a replica of a historic golden crown, based on the ancient Silla Kingdom’s gold crown that’s on display at the Gyeongju National Museum.
And Lee wore a custom made gold-colored tie, which his office said “reflects President Trump’s taste for gold, captures the golden future of the South Korea-US alliance and the status of South Korea,” Reuters news agency reported.
Since taking office in January, Trump has brought his proclivity for the precious metal to the White House. The Oval Office has been adorned with lashings of gold decoration, and Trump’s new State Ballroom currently under construction is expected to be replete with gold and crystal chandeliers, gold inlays and gilded columns.
Also on the menu in Gyeongju is an appetizer of Korean seafood with Thousand Island dressing in “a nod to Trump’s New York roots” followed by a main course of short ribs (galbijjim) made from American beef, assorted vegetables and “freshly harvested Gyeongju rice.”
At a dinner banquet later in the day, guests will be served Trump Chardonnay and Trump Cabernet Sauvignon from a winery run by Trump’s son, Eric Trump, according to Lee’s office.
China confirms Xi-Trump meeting on Thursday
China’s foreign ministry has confirmed Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet with US President Donald Trump in South Korea tomorrow.
The two sides will “exchange views on US-China relations and issues of mutual concern,” a ministry spokesperson said, adding that the meeting would happen in the city of Busan.
Washington announced the much-anticipated summit several days earlier. Beijing typically refrains from confirming the attendance of top officials until meetings draw near.
South Korea's Lee asks Trump for nuclear-powered submarine fuel
South Korea is again pushing for US approval to acquire fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, which it wants to build so it can keep up with North Korean and Chinese submarines.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung made the request directly to US President Donald Trump when the pair met in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Wednesday.
“If the President would make a decision to allow us to receive fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, we would appreciate it,” Lee said ahead of his bilateral meeting with Trump Wednesday.
Lee said South Korea did not intend to build submarines that could carry nuclear weapons, but conventionally armed submarines powered by nuclear energy.
“Diesel-powered submarines lack submerging capability limiting us to track North Korean or Chinese submarines,” he said.
Lee said that with US approval for the fuel imports, and new submarines, South Korea could eventually “conduct naval defense operations” in the seas around the Korean Peninsula to “significantly reduce the burden on US forces.’
Some context: Previous South Korean administrations have voiced interest in acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine, but the US has long opposed this, citing concerns over proliferation.
Earlier this year, North Korea showed off what it said was its own under construction nuclear-powered submarine, a weapons system that can pose a major security threat to South Korea and the US.
Amazon subsidiary to invest a further $5 billion in South Korea
Amazon’s cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced plans to invest more than $5 billion in South Korea on Wednesday, in addition to the $4 billion it had already pledged.
The new investment, announced at a meeting between AWS CEO Matt Garman and South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, includes the construction of additional artificial intelligence data centers in the Incheon and Gyeonggi regions, near the country’s capital, Seoul.
The plan came after AWS announced a $4 billion investment to build an AI data center in the Southeastern city of Ulsan in June.
The Korean government is actively pursuing AI projects and related energy infrastructure “with the goal of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powers,” according to the statement.
Earlier in the month, AWS suffered from a massive outage that resulted in some of the world’s largest online platforms going down, including Reddit and Snapchat. Most platforms were able to come back online within a few hours after the outage.
South Korea's Lee praises US stock market, pledges to increase military spending
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he will increase his country’s military spending to lessen the “burden” on the United States.
Lee said he wants to “modernize” South Korea’s alliance with the US, ahead of a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump at the Gyeongju National Museum on Wednesday.
South Korea’s current defense budget is about 1.4 times the total gross domestic product of North Korea, Lee said.
Market activity has long been Trump’s preferred indicator of economic strength and Lee appeared to flatter the US president by talking about the strength of the US stock market.
Trump confirms timing didn't work out for a Kim Jong Un meeting
President Donald Trump confirmed he will not meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his trip to South Korea and blamed timing.
Trump made his comments to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, adding that he remained committed to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump said his plans to meet with China’s leader Xi Jinping were the focus of the visit.
Trump previously had expressed openness to extending his trip to meet with Kim, but he vowed Wednesday that he will be “working on this very hard” with Lee and his team.
“The Korean peninsula, and I know you are officially at war, but we will see what we can do to get that all straightened out,” he said.
Lee praised Trump for being willing to have dialogue with the North Korean leader, saying he hoped Kim would see Trump’s “true heart and intention.”
Some context: Lee, who took office in June, has emphasized easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula while holding onto the longtime goal of denuclearizing North Korea. He takes a more open stance on dialogue with North Korea than his conservative predecessor.
Trump says gift of ancient golden crown replica is "very special"
President Donald Trump has been gifted a replica of a historic golden crown in South Korea, the latest eye-catching present to be bestowed upon him during his frenetic tour of Asia this week.
The gift was presented by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as the two meet in the South Korean city of Gyeongju on Wednesday.
Trump said it was “very special.”
The replica is based on the ancient Silla Kingdom’s gold crown, which symbolized “sacred authority and absolute rule” of kings and ruling class, according to the National Museum of Korea.
Silla’s gold crowns depict a tree with branches spreading upwards, “signifying the king’s heavenly mandate,” according to the museum.
The kingdom was one of three ancient dynasties that ruled the Korean peninsula, and its artwork from the 5th and 6th centuries is considered particularly exquisite.
Trump presented with South Korea’s highest honour: "I would like to wear it right now"
US President Donald Trump has become the first American leader to receive South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, which has been awarded to him in recognition of his efforts to fulfil peace on the Korean Peninsula.
“I would like to wear it right now,” Trump said, after being presented the medal by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, where he’s attending the APEC CEO summit.
Trump said he would cherish the “beautiful” medal, saying it was a “great honor” to receive it and adding that US-South Korean relations would only get stronger.
Lee praised Trump’s efforts to resolve issues with North Korea and, again, requested him to play the role of “peacemaker,” the Seoul’s presidential office said.
When the two met at the White House in August, Lee asked Trump to play the role of peacemaker to improve inter-Korean relations.
During his first term in office, Trump held a series of unprecedented meeting with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un. There has been speculation the pair could meet again while Trump is in Asia this week, but earlier on Wednesday Trump say he might need to “come back” for that.
The grand order of Mugunghwa is usually presented to South Korean presidents but can also be given to presidents of allies who significantly contribute to securing South Korea’s national security.
French President Emmanuel Macron was previously presented the medal by former President Moon Jae-in in 2018, according to Yonhap.
After some questioned his tariff policies, Trump claims there are “no critics left”
Months after he returned to office and systematically began reimagining long-held alliances and the role of the US in the world through his tariff policies, President Donald Trump addressed a crowd of global business leaders and focused on his accomplishments.
Trump told a crowd of CEOs and other VIPs that tariffs have ushered in what he described as “a new era of trade that truly works for both sides.”
He added: “This week, we proved once and for all that few critics, you know, few critics – there were no critics left. The only critics are people that took advantage of us for many years, and now they’re not able to do that.”
Trump pointed to new investment in the US and GDP growth, US leadership in AI, falling mortgage rates, lowering inflation, and steel and electricity production. He highlighted plans for the US to partner with South Korea on shipbuilding. He described his efforts to slash government spending and eliminate federal jobs. And he celebrated his efforts to end wars across the globe.
Trump talked at length about his poll numbers and his 2024 victory. He also mused upon the passage of time, noting that one year ago, he was still on the campaign trail.
True success, Trump told the business leaders, “comes from having the confidence and the courage to prove the doubters wrong.”
Trade deal with South Korea to be finalized "very soon," Trump says
US President Donald Trump said a trade deal with South Korea would be finalized “very soon.”
Speaking to business leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, Trump said he had signed “groundbreaking agreements” with Malaysia, Cambodia and Japan during his Asia trip.
“These agreements will be incredible victories for all of us, because everyone is better off when we have stable partnerships, not plagued by chronic problems and imbalances.”
Some context: Even though the longtime US ally negotiated a tariff rate of 15%, a lower rate than many other countries, the increase from virtually zero has dampened South Korea’s economy.
South Korean exports, which make up more than 40% of the country’s GDP, are forecast to slow sharply this year due to Trump’s tariffs, according to government think tank Korea Development Institute’s research in August.
Much like other key trading nations, South Korea is under huge pressure to invest eye-watering sums in the US in order to secure a deal.
Under a preliminary trade deal in July, South Korea agreed to invest at least $350 billion in the United States.
Asked by CNN whether he expects to sign a finalized trade deal with Trump, Lee said last week that he would like to reach a result “as soon as possible” but bridging all the gaps would take time.
Trump met by protesters as he arrives in South Korea
As US President Donald Trump arrived in Gyeongju, South Korea on Wednesday he was met by small but vocal protests.
Anti-Trump activists held up signs and placards, with some referencing the “No Kings” rallies that have been held across the US, protesting what organizers described as Trump’s “authoritarian” agenda.
At the rally, some protesters decried the imposition of tariffs on countries in the region, with one woman calling them “oppressive” and “cruel.”
“It will have a devastating impact on the lives of people in this region,” she said, according to Reuters news agency.
The protest contrasts sharply with the warm reception Trump received from Japan’s leader on the second leg of his trip, where the two allies welcomed a “new golden era” of US-Japan relations and extolled their longstanding friendship.
Security in Gyeongju was tightened ahead of Trump’s arrival, where he will deliver keynote remarks at the APEC CEO luncheon before meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
Protesters had erected a cardboard cutout of Trump’s face and waved red cards saying it was a “warning” and an “ultimatum to Trump to leave Asia-Pacific alone.”
High-stakes talks await Trump in South Korea. Here's the latest
President Donald Trump has touched down in South Korea, where he was greeted by a military band playing “YMCA,” a rallying cry of sorts for the president and his political movement.
He’ll soon address a luncheon of CEOs at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit of regional leaders. Later today, he meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who will gift him a replica of a historic golden crown.
But all eyes will be on an expected meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday local time, where the two leaders are anticipated to discuss a potential trade deal with global economic impacts.
In Japan, Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi traded praise and signed a rare-earth agreement in a charm-charged summit that saw him served American rice and gifted the assassinated Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s golf putter.
En route to South Korea, he spoke to reporters on several global and domestic issues:
- On a third term: Trump has said it is “pretty clear” the US Constitution does not permit him to run for a third term in office. “I would say that if you read it, [the Constitution] it’s pretty clear, I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad. But we have a lot of great people.”
- On fentanyl: Trump said he expects big progress on the issue in his meeting with Xi. Asked whether he would lower fentanyl-related tariffs on China, Trump said: “I expect to be lowering that because I believe that they’re going to help us with the fentanyl situation.
- On Gaza: Trump said the ceasefire was not in jeopardy after Israel launched strikes that killed at least 42 people in the enclave.
- On Taiwan: Trump said he doesn’t know whether the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims, will be on the agenda during his meeting with Xi.
- On Kim Jong Un: Trump said he will meet with the North Korean leader “at some point in the not too distant future,” but suggested he might have to come back to Asia for it — the clearest indication yet that a meeting may not go ahead this week.
- On Hurricane Melissa: Trump said the US is prepared to aid Jamaica in its recovery.
- On Canada: Trump expressed disinterest in meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, as tensions between the North American neighbors escalate. “We didn’t come to South Korea to see Canada!” the president posted to social media.
