SEOUL - Leaders from 21 Pacific Rim economies will gather this week in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or Apec, forum.

Meetings began on Oct 27 and will run through Nov 1, though talks are expected to be overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs and high-stakes trade standoffs with China and other nations.

Mr Trump will arrive on Oct 29 but is scheduled to depart before the Apec leaders' summit itself. He is expected to see Chinese President Xi Jinping for their first in-person meeting of Mr Trump's second term,

as the two countries seek to dial down trade tensions.

South Korea is hosting Mr Trump and Mr Xi for state visits and it is hoping to make progress on a trade deal with the US.

President Lee Jae Myung has suggested Mr Trump use the visit to engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but it is unclear whether a meeting will happen. REUTERS