Donald Trump has begun a whistle-stop tour of Asia that will culminate in his first face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping for six years. It is “the most important week of diplomacy” for Trump “since he returned to office”, said The Economist.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says "walking away from Taiwan" is not on the agenda for this week's talks in South Korea between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. Newsweek reached out to the White House and to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email for comment outside of regular office hours.

A meeting Thursday between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping is set to be one of the key diplomatic events of the year, with the US-China economic relationship at stake following multiple rounds of escalating tensions and temporary truces.

TRUMP TRAVELS TO JAPAN: President Donald Trump has arrived in Japan, the second stop on his three-country Asia tour. He met with Emperor Naruhito in the evening, and will have a bilateral meeting tomorrow with newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

US President Donald Trump is in Japan today, continuing his series of key meetings with leaders in Asia, as the government shutdown drags on back home. Follow for live updates.

President Trump is expected to meet with China's President Xi Jinping and discuss a trade deal. And, the government shutdown could soon impact food benefits like SNAP as the holiday season approaches.