South Korea sees higher chance of US trade deal by APEC summit

South Korea’s policy advisor Kim Yong-beom said on October 19 that the country expects to finalise a trade deal with the Donald Trump administration by the upcoming Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, hinting that major trade tensions may ease soon. The deal could relieve pressure on global supply-chains and lift sentiment across export-driven Asian markets. Seoul has already narrowed its differences with Washington, though some items remain unresolved.