Trump Luxon Discuss Trade Partnership at Apec Summit South Korea

US President Donald Trump and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had their first in-person meeting on the sidelines of the Apec summit in South Korea, where they shared a lighthearted exchange and discussed trade, New Zealand's appeal, and Trump's interest in golf. Luxon invited Trump to visit New Zealand, although Trump did not make a commitment. The meeting was part of broader talks involving other leaders, including those from Australia and Canada, focusing on trade issues such as tariffs. During the summit, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to reduce tariffs on certain Chinese imports and address issues like fentanyl trafficking and rare earth mineral export controls, developments that Luxon highlighted as demonstrating the importance of face-to-face leader meetings. Luxon’s participation in the Apec and ASEAN summits underlines New Zealand's engagement in major global economic discussions, which represent a significant portion of the world economy. The high security presence and cultural showcases at the summit also underscored the event’s diplomatic importance and complexity.