Trump to Take Elon Musk on Asia Trip, Sidestep Nvidia Controversy/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump plans to bring Elon Musk on a trip to the Philippines and China next week.
Officials say Trump does not intend to raise the Nvidia controversy with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. A planned meeting with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will focus chiefly on nuclear arms limits.
Trump Asia Trip: Quick Look
- Musk joins delegation: Officials cite the SpaceX and Tesla leader’s economic and national security interests.
- Philippines first: Trump plans meetings with Southeast Asian leaders, a Thailand trade agreement and Quad discussions.
- China visit: Trump will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen.
- Trilateral talks: Trump, Xi and Putin are expected to discuss nuclear weapons limits and the Iran war.
- Chip restrictions: U.S. officials are considering measures addressing export licensing and remote access to advanced chips.
- Musk’s role: He will not attend the three-leader meeting, according to officials.
Trump Asia Trip: Deep Look
Elon Musk to Accompany Trump to Philippines and China
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to take Elon Musk on his upcoming visit to the Philippines and China, bringing the Tesla and SpaceX leader into a week of diplomacy involving trade, technology and nuclear security.
Administration officials said Musk’s business interests and national security connections make him a valuable adviser for the trip. The officials spoke anonymously during a Friday briefing previewing the president’s travel plans.
Musk will accompany Trump during the Asia visit but will not participate in a planned trilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Nvidia Controversy Expected to Remain Outside Xi Talks
The trip comes amid fallout from Jensen Huang’s removal as Nvidia chief executive following an extramarital affair with Alice Huang, an alleged Chinese government agent.
Beijing denies that Alice Huang is a spy. Her company, Megaspeed, was accused last year of shipping Nvidia’s advanced computer chips into China.
Despite the controversy, administration officials said Trump does not plan to confront Xi about the matter. They also said they do not anticipate Chinese retaliation over potential U.S. measures aimed at preventing the smuggling or unauthorized use of advanced chips.
Officials described semiconductor export controls as a matter the United States handles independently of negotiations with foreign governments.
Trump’s advisers are considering ways to close gaps in existing restrictions. Options under discussion include changes involving export licensing and limits on Chinese companies’ ability to access advanced chips remotely over the internet.
Philippines Agenda Includes Thailand Trade Deal and Quad Meeting
Trump is scheduled to arrive Tuesday in the Philippines for meetings with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
While in Manila, he intends to sign a trade agreement with Thailand and meet with the Quadthe grouping comprising the United States, India, Australia and Japan.
The Philippines stop will precede his visit to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Trump, Xi and Putin to Discuss Nuclear Weapons Limits
Trump is scheduled to leave for Shenzhen on Wednesday, where he will attend the APEC summit and hold his third in-person meeting of the year with Xi.
The two leaders will then meet jointly with Putin. Efforts to limit nuclear weapons are expected to be a principal topic.
Officials said the leaders also are expected to discuss the Iran war. Russia’s war in Ukraine, however, is not expected to feature on the agenda.
Musk’s absence from the trilateral talks is notable given the importance of his Starlink satellite communications network to Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
Officials said there are no plans for Trump to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the trip, despite continuing concerns about North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
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