Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
U.S. President Donald Trump continues his visit to Asia this week with two high-profile meetings. First up, he will hold talks with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, followed by a long-anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
More top-level diplomacy continues later in the week when the spotlight falls on the South Korean city of Gyeongju for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Amid Trump's punishing tariffs, which have been placed on many APEC members, free trade is set to be a key discussion point.
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MONDAY
Trump arrives in Japan
Trump will pay an official visit to Japan through Wednesday, marking his fourth trip to Japan as president. The U.S. leader is scheduled to hold a summit meeting with Takaichi and make a state call on the emperor.
Beijing financial forum
The four-day annual Beijing Financial Street Forum opens, with more than 400 delegates from 30 countries expected to converge on the Chinese capital, according to a press release. People's Bank of China Gov. Pan Gongsheng and top securities regulator Wu Qing are reportedly due to speak.
TUESDAY
Earnings: Nomura
WEDNESDAY
Thailand's "half-half" shopping subsidy begins
The Thai government is due to kick off a shopping subsidy program, known as "Khon La Khrueng" (half-half). Thais who have registered with the initiative will get a subsidy of 50% to 60% when they spend at local shops and street vendors. The project is part of the government's plan to spur private spending to boost the economy.
U.S. Fed decision
The U.S. Federal Reserve will announce the result of its two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting. While the economy faces rising inflation and a slow labor market, the American central bank is seen prioritizing the latter. Fed watchers expect it to deliver a 25-basis-point cut for the second consecutive meeting, bringing the key interest rate down to 3.75% from 4.00%.
Earnings: GoTo
THURSDAY
Trump-Xi meeting
Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, are due to come face to face in South Korea on Thursday morning, according to the White House, after weeks of will-they-won't-they speculation. The superpower rivals have been sparring over Beijing's rare-earth export controls, shipping fees, tariffs and other points of contention, but Trump has expressed confidence that he can strike some kind of deal. The leaders would be meeting shortly before a trade truce between them is set to expire on Nov. 10.
Japan Mobility Show
The Japan Mobility Show, formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show, will be held through Nov. 9 at Tokyo Big Sight. The theme of this year's event is: "A unique opportunity to explore mobility's future." A record number of over 500 companies and organizations will participate.
ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting
Defense chiefs from the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet in Kuala Lumpur through Nov. 2 for the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting. The gathering comes as the bloc expands its cooperation framework, with Germany and Turkey joining the ADMM observer program for the 2024-2027 term. The talks are expected to cover emerging security challenges, including the use of artificial intelligence in defense. The U.S. is also slated to take part, although Washington has yet to confirm who will head its delegation.
BOJ meeting
Following a two-day board meeting, the Bank of Japan will announce its monetary policy decision. The market widely expects the central bank to keep interest rates unchanged, but attention is focused on how clear a hint Gov. Kazuo Ueda will deliver about a possible rate hike in the future. The policy meeting also comes at a crucial time following the launch of the Takaichi government.
Earnings: Panasonic, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Apple, Samsung Electronics
Data: Singapore unemployment, Philippines trade, Sri Lanka inflation
FRIDAY
APEC Leaders Meeting
Leaders of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum are expected to meet in Gyeongju over two days, as the trade-focused body navigates the headwinds unleashed by Trump's tariffs. The event will be an opportunity for bilateral meetings on the sidelines before and during the meeting, with Trump expected to hold talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. South Korea is also hoping to use the meeting to promote foreign investment.
Earnings: Tokyo Electron
Data: Taiwan gross domestic product, China purchasing managers index
SATURDAY
Data: Kazakhstan inflation
