GYEONGJU, South Korea: Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Asia-Pacific leaders on Saturday that his country would help to defend global free trade as US President Donald Trump snubbed an annual economic regional forum. Xi took center stage at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that began the previous day in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, as Trump left the country just hours before the summit opened, after reaching deals with Xi meant to ease their escalating trade war.

TOKYO: US President Donald Trump heads Wednesday for South Korea, where a key meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping could produce a truce in the blistering trade war between the…

US and Chinese leaders are expected to sign a trade deal in their first meeting since 2019.