What we covered here
• Trump’s Asia trip: President Donald Trump has arrived in South Korea, where he will attend an Asian economic summit, meet with the prime minister, and is expected to hold a high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
• Day 28 of shutdown: Senate Democrats again blocked Republicans’ stopgap funding bill from advancing as both parties remain firm in their positions. Vice President JD Vance met with GOP senators today as Senate Democrats insist the impasse won’t end until Trump gets involved.
• Shutdown impacts: The Federal Aviation Administration is reporting staffing shortages and flight delays as air traffic controllers missed their first full paycheck since the shutdown began. And a coalition of 25 Democratic-run states sued the Trump administration to prevent cuts to federal food assistance set to kick in this weekend.
Our live coverage has moved here.
Trump says he "didn't come to South Korea to see Canada" amid escalating trade feud
President Donald Trump has expressed disinterest in meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his trip to South Korea, amid escalating trade tensions between the North American neighbors.
“For those that are asking, we didn’t come to South Korea to see Canada!” the president posted to social media as he arrived in Gyeongju.
Both Trump and Carney are expected to attend events around the APEC summit here in South Korea.
On Saturday, Trump said he would be increasing tariffs on Canda by 10% over what he called a “fake” ad that featured parts of a 1987 anti-tariff speech by former President Ronald Reagan. Trump has since declined to say when the tariffs would go into effect.
Trump and Carney were also both in Malaysia on Sunday for a summit with South Asian leaders. At the time, Trump said he was not open to meeting with Carney, saying: “I don’t want to meet with him, no. Not going to be meeting with him for a while.”
Canada is the US’s second largest trading partner.
As Trump prepares to meet Xi, his defense chief talks up security threats posed by China
As US President Donald Trump prepares to sit down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea this week, his defense secretary warned of the “severe” regional security threat posed by China.
“The security situation around Japan and in the region remains severe,” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters following a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinjirō Koizumi in Tokyo Wednesday.
The US needs to “continue building strong lethal combat, credible forces that are ready to deter war, and if necessary, fight and fight to win,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth praised the longstanding friendship between the US and Japan that has further blossomed during Trump’s visit. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday said Japan was committed to “fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities” and heralded a “new golden age” for US-Japan relations.
Japan’s Minister of Defense Koizumi said his country will review its National Security Strategy and other related documents that lay out the nation’s security policy, and take measures to achieve a defense spending target of 2% of gross domestic product.
Hegseth said he hoped Japan’s commitment to increase defense spending will be “implemented as soon as possible” but said that there were “no demands placed on Japan” from the US.
Trump says it’s “pretty clear” he’s not allowed to run for a third term
President Donald Trump has said it is “pretty clear” the US Constitution does not permit him to run for the third term in office.
Trump made the comments to reporters on board Air Force One as he flew to South Korea where he is attending a regional summit as part of a whirlwind tour of Asia.
“I have my highest poll numbers that I’ve ever had. And, you know, based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday told reporters he had spoken with Trump about the possibility of president seeking a third-term but he sees no path for it as any change to the US Constitution would be well after Trump has left office.
Asked how that conversation played out, Trump responded: “I don’t want to even talk about that, because, you know, the sad thing is, I have my highest numbers that I’ve ever had.”
Previous comments: Trump on Monday continued to entertain the idea of running for a third term, telling reporters that he’d “love to do it,” while also floating the possibility of a Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pairing in 2028.
But in Monday’s comments he did rule out one proposed end-run around the Constitution, saying it would be “too cute” for him to run as vice president in order to later ascend back into the White House after the elected president resigned.
Trump to be gifted ancient golden crown replica by South Korea's leader
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung will gift Donald Trump a replica of a historic golden crown on Wednesday, the latest eye-catching present to be bestowed upon the US president during his frenetic tour of Asia this week.
The gift will be presented as the two meet in the South Korean city of Gyeongju on Wednesday.
South Korea’s presidential office said the gift would signify “the new era of peaceful coexistence and joint growth on the Korean Peninsula that South Korea and the US will work together on.”
The replica is based on the ancient Silla Kingdom’s gold crown, which symbolized “sacred authority and absolute rule” of kings and ruling class, according to the National Museum of Korea.
The kingdom was one of three ancient dynasties that ruled the Korean peninsula, and its artwork from the 5th and 6th centuries is considered particularly exquisite.
Silla’s gold crowns depict a tree with branches spreading upwards, “signifying the king’s heavenly mandate,” according to the museum. Decorations also include animals.
Trump is expected to view six Silla gold crowns, brought together for the first time for an exhibition at APEC, a regional summit of Pacific leaders being hosted in Gyeongju. The Silla kingdom was located in the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula, where Gyeongju is today.
Yesterday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gifted Trump a golf bag signed by golfing star Hideki Matsuyama and a putter owned by assassinated Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
South Korea’s gift might raise eyebrows among some of Trump’s critics in the US who have organized growing protests under the banner of a “No Kings” movement.
Trump met by protests as he arrives in South Korea
As US President Donald Trump arrived in Gyeongju, South Korea on Wednesday he was met by small but vocal protests.
Anti-Trump activists held up signs and placards, with some referencing the “No Kings” rallies that have been held across the US, protesting what organizers described as Trump’s “authoritarian” agenda.
At the rally, some protesters decried the imposition of tariffs on countries in Southeast Asia and across the region, with one woman calling them “oppressive” and “cruel.”
“It will have a devastating impact on the lives of people in this region,” she said according to Reuters news agency.
The protest contrasts sharply with the warm reception Trump has received from Japan’s leader on his second leg of the trip, where the two allies welcomed a “new golden era” of US-Japan relations and extolled their longstanding friendship.
Security in Gyeongju was tightened ahead of Trump’s arrival, where he will deliver keynote remarks at the APEC CEO luncheon before meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
Protesters had erected a cardboard cutout of Trump’s face and waved red cards saying it was a “warning” and an “ultimatum to Trump to leave Asia-Pacific alone.”
Military band plays "YMCA," welcoming Trump to South Korea
President Donald Trump descended the steps of Air Force One to a red-carpet welcome in Gyeongju, South Korea, with a diplomatic musical gesture.
A military band played “Hail to the Chief” as Trump disembarked, greeting South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun as a 21-gun salute was fired.
As they walked the red carpet to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with other South Korean officials, the band picked up “YMCA,” which has become a rallying cry of sorts for the president and his political movement.
Perhaps preoccupied with his official greetings, the president did not stop to dance, walking across the tarmac to board Marine One.
Trump arrives in South Korea
President Donald Trump has arrived in South Korea, the third and final country in his Asia tour.
Air Force One was wheels down in Gyeongju, South Korea, at 11:31 a.m. local time Tuesday (10:31 p.m. ET Monday). The president’s plane was escorted by two F-16 fighter jets upon landing.
Trump is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO summit and meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, with trade and security atop the agenda.
But all eyes will be on an expected high-stakes meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping on Thursday local time, where the two leaders are anticipated to discuss a trade deal that could have sweeping economic implications.
Trump says “nothing’s going to jeopardize” Gaza ceasefire after new Israel strikes
US President Donald Trump said the Gaza ceasefire was not in jeopardy after Israel launched deadly strikes in response to what he said was the killing of one of its soldiers.
“Nothing’s going to jeopardize” the agreement, he said in response to a question on whether the strikes put the ceasefire in danger.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to South Korea, Trump repeated his previous threats against Hamas.
“If we have to, we’ll take out Hamas very easily, and that’ll be the end of Hamas,” he said.
Israel informed the US ahead of carrying out the strikes, which it said it carried out after its troops came under Hamas sniper and RPG fire in southern Gaza. Hamas denied its fighters had attack IDF troops.
At least 20 people were killed in the subsequent strikes across Gaza, according to hospitals in the enclave.
Trump says Taiwan may not be discussed during Xi meeting
US President Donald Trump said he doesn’t know whether Taiwan will be on the agenda during his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.
When asked whether Xi would push Trump on US policy on Taiwan, he said, “I don’t know that we’ll even speak about Taiwan. I’m not sure he may want to ask about it.”
“Taiwan is Taiwan,” Trump said.
Trump has previously shaken off questions about one of the thorniest issues in US-China relations, saying earlier this week that he didn’t want to “create any complexity.”
Trump followed a similar path when speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea Wednesday, deflecting the question to talk about Taiwan’s chip making.
Washington has grown increasingly concerned about its dependence on Taiwan, where chip giant TSMC supplies the vast majority of the world’s advanced semiconductors.
Taiwan, however, has vowed to resist pressure from Washington to shift half of its chip production capacity to the US. Many in Taiwan view its chip-making prowess as a “silicon shield” that could deter a potential invasion from China and rally international support for its security.
Some background: China claims Taiwan as part of its territory despite having never controlled it and has vowed to annex it, by force if necessary. It has ramped up its military drills around Taiwan in recent years.
The US maintains close unofficial ties with Taiwan, and is bound by law to sell arms to the island for its self-defense, but remains deliberately vague on whether it would intervene in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Trump gives clearest indication yet that he won't meet Kim Jong Un during Asia tour
US President Donald Trump said he will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “at some point in the not too distant future,” but suggested he might have to come back to Asia for it.
There has been speculation the pair could meet during Trump’s current Asia tour, but speaking aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea he gave the clearest indication yet that a meeting with Kim would not go ahead this week.
“I always had a very good relationship with them. At some point I’ll be meeting, this schedule is very tight, as you know, but at some point I look forward (to meeting Kim),” Trump said, on Wednesday morning local time.
The president said his focus while in South Korea will be on his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Trump expects "big step" on fentanyl in meeting with Xi
US President Donald Trump said he expects to make a “big step” on the issue of fentanyl in his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.
“We’re going to make a big step with fentanyl,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Gyeongju, South Korea Wednesday morning local time. “Fentanyl will be one of the things we will be discussing.”
Asked whether he would lower fentanyl-related tariffs on China, Trump said:
Trump added that, “China is going to be working with me,” when asked whether Beijing would work with US law enforcement on combating fentanyl.
“They’re going to be working with me, and we’re going to do something.”
Trump said his “focus” was on his “big meeting” with Xi on Thursday, during which fentanyl will be one of a number of topic up for discussion.
“I want to make that the focus,” he said of China.
On rare earths, Trump said he hasn’t talked about timings but “we’re going to work out something.”
Beijing, unlike Washington has yet to confirm the talks between Xi and Trump.
For context: China has long maintained that the fentanyl crisis is the “US’s problem” and that China has already done “tremendous work” to address the issue. You can read more here.
Trump departs Japan after jam-packed visit
President Donald Trump has departed Tokyo after a two-day stop where he nurtured the US-Japan relationship and fortified ties with the country’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi.
Marine One landed at Haneda Airport just before 8:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. Wednesday local time) and a short time later Trump boarded Air Force One, bound for South Korea.
While in Japan, Trump was effusive in his praise of Takaichi.
Trump is traveling to Gyeongju, South Korea, where he will participate at the APEC CEO summit, meet the country’s new president, and hold a high-stakes meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping.
Analysis: Trump’s tariffs have dramatically reshaped South Korea and Japan
As President Donald Trump continues his Asia tour with a final stop in South Korea after departing Japan, businesses in both economic powerhouses are closely watching to see if his meetings with their leaders will offer more clarity to their trade relations with Washington.
Even though the longtime US allies negotiated tariff rates of 15%, a lower rate than many other countries, the increase from virtually zero has dampened both economies.
Adding to the strain are the massive US investment pledges – $350 billion from Seoul and $550 billion from Tokyo – agreed upon to help secure the tariff reduction. Critics have likened these packages to US extortion, while the details of the agreements remain unclear and implementation plans are still being worked out.
In South Korea, exports, which make up more than 40% of the country’s GDP, are forecast to slow sharply this year due to Trump’s tariffs, according to government thinktank Korea Development Institute’s research in August.
Despite preliminary trade agreements, the US effective tariff rate remains elevated at levels not seen since the 1930s, the think tank said.
On Tuesday, the South Korean economy reported a better-than-expected growth at 1.2%, according to data from the Bank of Korea. Still, experts warned that the country’s export-reliant economy remains vulnerable to Trump’s trade measures.
President Lee Jae Myung has said South Korea’s final trade deal with the US remains at an impasse as details of the $350 billion investment commitment have yet to be finalized. The recent ICE raid on a massive Hyundai factory in Georgia added additional friction between Seoul and Washington.
“Seoul recognizes its alliance with Washington is essential, but also that it will be subject to continuous negotiation under the Trump administration,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. “Not all trade issues will be resolved by APEC summitry as further iterations of both economic and security deals are likely in the months ahead.”
Asked by CNN whether he expects to sign a finalized trade deal with Trump, Lee said last week that he would like to reach a result “as soon as possible” but bridging all the gaps would take time.
“I believe that we will in the end be able to reach a rational result that can be acceptable,” he said.
Washington, DC, air control staffing problems reported, bringing total to 12 for the day
One additional staffing problem was reported in the 8 p.m. Federal Aviation Administration operations update, bringing the total to 12 staffing shortages for the day.
The Potomac TRACON, which handles flights approaching or departing the Washington, DC, area, is short-staffed from 12:30 am to 5:30am ET.
According to earlier FAA reports, the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center, which handles flights at high altitude, is short staffed until 8:30 p.m. ET. Jacksonville Center is short staffed until 9 p.m. ET, the FAA reported.
The TRACON, which controls flights arriving or departing Orlando International Airport, is short staffed until midnight.
The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s control tower will be short-staffed until 11 p.m. ET.
The TRACON, which handles flights approaching and departing Phoenix, does not have a normal complement of workers until 1 a.m. ET. The TRACON for Newark Liberty International Airport is short-staffed until 9 p.m. ET. The same operation was short staffed this morning, along with the approach facility in Atlanta.
A staffing shortage was reported at the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center, which handles flights at higher altitudes, until 11 p.m. ET. The Denver tower and another part of the Denver center were also short staffed earlier today.
Today’s 12 problems bring the total reported to 284 since the start of the shutdown, more than four times the number on the same dates last year.
FAA administrator thanks employees who are not being paid starting today
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration Bryan Bedford thanked workers in an email Tuesday, for “doing the jobs they are paid to do,” even though starting today “our people are not receiving paychecks.”
The letter also warned that air travel delays could increase, but he vowed not to compromise safety.
“As we continue another shutdown week, delays may increase. However, we will continue to operate a safe system, even if that means slowing down operations,” he wrote.
House Oversight Committee Chair says "pardon process has been abused"
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said today that he would like to see reforms to the way presidents issue pardons, arguing that the process “has been abused.”
Comer’s remarks come hours after the release of the committee’s letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, in which the panel asserted that executive actions by former President Joe Biden that were signed by autopen are void.
The chairman also weighed in on the Trump family’s crypto income, arguing to Tapper that they are transparent about their earnings.
“From an ethics standpoint and from an oversight standpoint, the president is disclosing this income and, and that, I think, is the most important part: the transparency,” Comer said.
Trump has thrown all norms “out the window” making it difficult for Democrats to negotiate, Gallego says
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona says that Democrats cannot negotiate with Republicans like they have in the past because President Donald Trump has thrown norms “out the window.”
CNN’s Kasie Hunt brought up that in the past when Republicans have tried to use a government shutdown to make the case for their agenda, Democrats have argued “that the norms of our government should be that you negotiate policy outside of a government shutdown.” She pressed Gallego on why it’s different now for Democrats to use the same tactic.
“Oh, that’s an easy answer, it’s Donald Trump,” Gallego said. “It’s all out the window, Kasie.”
Gallego said of Trump, “He’s literally, you know, breaking every rules. We’re not going to go back and play by the norms when we know that what’s on the line. What’s on the line is 24 million people are going to have their insurance rates premiums doubled.”
Gallego later added that he’s “not going to abide by old norms, especially when you’re dealing with this presidency, this administration and how the Republicans themselves have been acting.”
Separately, Hunt asked Gallego about Trump entertaining the thought of running for a third term.
“I don’t take it seriously because he will, you know, be in violation of the Constitution, and he should be arrested if he attempts to do that,” the Arizona senator said.
Nvidia CEO explains company’s donation to White House ballroom project
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Tuesday he was “delighted” to be among the companies that donated to President Donald Trump’s ballroom construction project at the White House.
“I love when I come to Washington, DC, and you’re (seeing) the incredible majesty of the beautiful buildings, just incredible architecture scope,” he said. “I’m just glad to be part of it.”
The comments come ahead of a planned meeting between Huang and Trump in South Korea at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this week. Nvidia said in August it was seeking clarity from the White House on how it could restart sales of its advanced AI chips to China, after agreeing to pay the US government 15% of its revenue from China sales.
Ballroom donors: Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Comcast and Meta are among the major companies that have made donations to build Trump’s proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, according to the White House.
Trump has repeatedly said that work on the ballroom, which he expected to cost about $300 million, is privately funded by himself and donors and will cost nothing to taxpayers.
Air traffic control staffing shortages reported in Phoenix and Dallas, FAA operations plan says
The latest Federal Aviation Administration operations plan reports additional staffing shortages tonight in Dallas and Phoenix.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s control tower is short staffed from 5 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET.
The TRACON, which handles flights approaching and departing Phoenix, does not have a normal complement of workers from 7:30 p.m. ET to 1 a.m. ET.
Earlier Tuesday, a staffing shortage was reported at the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center, which handles flights at higher altitudes, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. The Denver tower and another part of the Denver center were also short staffed earlier today.
And a new staffing shortage was reported for controllers dealing with flights arriving or departing Newark Liberty International Airport from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET. The same operation was short staffed this morning, along with the approach facility in Atlanta.
The total reported staffing issues is now up to 280 since the start of the shutdown — more than four times the number on the same dates last year.