US President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet in Busan amid escalating trade tariffs, tech restrictions, and geopolitical friction.

The growing power of China's leader complicates U.S. dealmaking—and makes a grand bargain unlikely, writes Neil Thomas.

Trump is scheduled to meet Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea, the White House confirmed last week. The high-stakes trade talks come as both leaders attempt to avoid further escalation in the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

President Trump said that the U.S. expects to lower tariffs on China in exchange for cooperation in cracking down on the export of chemicals used to produce fentanyl.Trump said that he would discuss such an agreement when he meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.