Oct. 27: Trump to visit Japan, South Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Japan from Oct. 27 to 29 for official meetings with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The White House confirmed that Trump will continue to South Korea afterward, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Oct. 30.
Also on Oct. 27, the 2025 Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum begins in Beijing, cancer-screening firm New Horizon Health Ltd. will be delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the city will list Asia’s first spot Solana exchange-traded fund.
Oct. 28-29: Fed expected to cut rates
The U.S. Federal Reserve will convene Oct. 28–29 for a closely watched policy meeting. Analysts anticipate a 25-basis-point cut in the federal funds rate to a range of 4% to 4.25% as the central bank tries to support a cooling labor market while preserving enough monetary tightness to steer inflation toward its 2% target. A further cut is expected before year-end.
Oct. 29: Japan’s central bank weighs rate hike
The Bank of Japan will hold its own two-day meeting beginning Oct. 29. Market participants will watch closely for signals of a policy shift after board member Naoki Tamura said earlier this month that elevated inflation risks warrant serious discussion of raising rates.
Oct. 30: Xi to visit South Korea for APEC Summit
President Xi Jinping will travel to South Korea Oct. 30–Nov. 1. In addition to a state visit, Xi will attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju. The summit, held Oct. 31–Nov. 1, will be the first time South Korea has hosted APEC in two decades. This year’s theme is “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.”
Nov. 1: U.S. to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods
Trump’s administration will implement a new round of tariffs on Nov. 1, including a 100% duty on a wide range of Chinese imports, citing Beijing’s restrictions on rare earths exports. A separate 25% tariff will target all imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is slated to begin hearing arguments next week regarding the legality of Trump’s broader tariff strategy. The measures will remain in place while the court deliberates.
