WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump is returning from a weeklong trip to Asia boasting of trade deals with China and South Korea to boost cooperation in the region but also having threatened to resume testing nuclear weapons after a decadeslong moratorium to keep pace with military rivals.

The second-term Republican's trip to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea showcased numerous meetings with foreign leaders. The pageantry included Trump receiving another pledge of support for the Nobel Peace Prize from Japan's new prime minister and the highest state honor with a gold crown from South Korea.

But the trip coincided with a federal government shutdown at home that will become the longest in history on Nov. 5. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called the trade negotiations over tariffs "a failure" on social media that hurt farmers and manufacturers. Trump responded on social media that the criticism was "almost treasonous!!!"

Here are seven takeaways of the most important moments during Trump's trip − and a look at where tariffs and international relations are headed:

Trump reduces China tariffs in exchange for ag, electronics trade

Trump announced Oct. 30 that he had reached an agreement with President Xi Jinping that China would resume being the largest customer for U.S. soybeans, curb the export of chemicals to make fentanyl and lift restrictions on exporting rare-earth minerals that are crucial for electronics like cell phones and computers.

In exchange, Trump agreed to lower broad tariffs that had been used as a weapon against fentanyl to 10% from 20%. A variety of other tariffs will remain in place at 45% to 47% on certain Chinese imports. He said a finalized trade deal would be signed “pretty soon.”

"We have a deal. Now, every year, we'll renegotiate the deal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force as he returned home Oct. 30. “But I think the deal will go on for a long time. Long beyond the year, we'll negotiate at the end of a year."

Xi said both sides had reached a consensus to resolve "major trade issues," according to a readout of his remarks published on state media Xinhua News Agency.

The trade agreement reflected both countries stepping back from a trade war that rattled financial markets and threatened to halt commerce between the two countries. Trump imposed tariffs on the country’s third-largest trading partner, and China retaliated by refusing to buy soybeans and restricting the export of rare-earth minerals.

Trump said that he would visit China in April and that Xi would visit the United States at some point afterward.

Trump lowers South Korea tariffs in exchange for U.S. investment

Trump announced Oct. 29 that he "pretty much finalized" a trade deal with South Korea that he said would bring $350 billion in investment to the United States, including construction of a nuclear-powered submarine at a Philadelphia shipyard.

In exchange, Trump agreed to lower his tariff on Korean imports to 15% from 25%, which would put the country's trading status on par with Japan's.

"We came to a conclusion on a lot of very different items," Trump said at a dinner with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and other regional leaders.

The White House promoted investment deals on social media Oct. 29, but many of the companies had already announced the deals weeks or months before his trip.

For example, the White House said Korean Air would buy 103 Boeing aircraft worth $36.2 billion and GE Aerospace engines for $13.7 billion. But Boeing announced its sale Aug. 25 and GE on March 26. HD Hyundai and Cerberus Capital Management will partner on a $5 billion investment program for modernizing American shipyards. Hyundai announced its investment Aug. 27.

Trump announces resumption of nuclear weapons testing

Trump announced Oct. 29 just before his meeting with Xi that the United States will "immediately" resume nuclear weapons tests, ending a decadeslong halt to testing with a goal of keeping pace with China.

Former President George H.W. Bush placed a moratorium on testing nuclear weapons 33 years ago. The United States signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996 during President Bill Clinton's first term, but the Senate voted against ratifying the treaty.

Though China and Russia have renovated their historical nuclear test sites in recent years, only North Korea has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998.

Trump touted in a social media post the progress on modernizing nuclear weapons during his first term. But he warned that China's nuclear weapons buildup will place Beijing's arsenal on equal footing with the United States and Russia "within 5 years."

"Because of other countries [sic] testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump said. "That process will begin immediately."

Asked on his return flight from Asia whether the world was entering a riskier environment, Trump replied that he didn’t think so.

"I think we have it pretty well locked up," the president said. "But I see them testing. I say, well, they're going to test, I guess we have to test."

Supreme Court to hear tariff case Nov. 5, and Trump might attend

The Supreme Court will hear arguments Nov. 5 about whether Trump has the authority to impose tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Lower courts have ruled he overstepped his authority under a law historically used for imposing economic sanctions and other penalties on foreign enemies.

"The statute bestows significant authority on the President to undertake a number of actions in response to a declared national emergency, but none of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties, or the like, or the power to tax," the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said in a 7-4 decision.

But Trump has argued tariffs are so important he might attend the oral arguments in person. The tariffs are projected to generate $4 trillion over the next decade. Trump has wielded them like a cudgel to get better trade deals with other countries.

“If we are not allowed to use what other people use against us, there is no defense,” Trump told reporters Oct 15. “It would be a disaster for America.”

Trump imposes higher tariffs on Canadian imports over Reagan ad

Trump said he would boost tariffs on goods coming from Canada by an additional 10% "over and above what they're paying now," just two days after he terminated trade talks over what he called a "fraudulent" advertisement airing during the Toronto Blue Jays' postseason games.

Canada was the top destination for U.S. exports and the third-largest provider of U.S. imports in 2024, according to the U.S. trade representative.

Trump announced the tariff hike on social media Oct. 25 during his trip to Asia. He criticized a commercial from the regional government of Ontario that showed former President Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement Oct. 24 that the ad would air during Games 1 and 2 of the World Series but pause after that for trade talks.

"We've achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels,” Ford said.

Trump highlights international relations despite domestic turmoil

Trump has been mainly focused on international relations while the federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1.

In September, Trump spoke at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, where he blasted what he called open borders of other countries and championed fossil fuels.

Earlier in October, Trump traveled to Israel as the remaining live hostages under Hamas were released. He spoke in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, and basked in praise for brokering a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump's Asia trip from Oct. 24 to 30 was his first to the region during his second term and showcased meetings with other world leaders in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.

After returning home, Trump plans to meet Nov. 6 with the leaders of the five Central Asian nations traditionally in the Russian sphere of influence: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov said on social media that trade, investment, education and innovation between the two countries would be discussed. In September, Uzbekistan Airways signed an $8 billion deal with Boeing to buy up to 22 of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Japan's PM latest to promote Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, joined the chorus of foreign leaders who have said they would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Takaichi told Trump she would nominate him. Takaichi told Trump publicly through a translator that the world has "started to enjoy more peace on the ground" and that she valued his "unwavering commitment to world peace and stability."

Trump has said he deserves the honor, but the prize committee gave it to Venezuela's opposition leader earlier in October.

Pakistan’s government, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have each endorsed Trump for the award.

Former Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama have won the prestigious award.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trade deals, pageantry and nukes: 7 takeaways from Trump's trip to Asia

Reporting by Bart Jansen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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