Trump and Xi are set to hold talks at the White House on Thursday. It marks Xi's first visit to the United States in about three years and his first trip to Washington, D.C., since April 2016. The two leaders are expected to exchange views on a range of issues, including tariffs and other bilateral trade matters, artificial intelligence and the war in the Middle East. Whether Taiwan or the Korean Peninsula comes up is also drawing interest.
At home, recent population trends and last year's mortality statistics are due. Statistics Korea will release its "2025 Causes of Death Statistics" on Tuesday, tallying last year's deaths and their causes. On Wednesday, it will publish "July Population Trends," showing changes in births, marriages and divorces.
The Bank of Korea will issue its "Financial Stability Situation" report on Tuesday. It is the first assessment of domestic financial markets in three months, following the financial stability report released in June. The report will cover household lending trends and the soundness of vulnerable borrowers after back-to-back rate increases in July and August.
The BOK's September consumer survey results are also due this week. In August, the composite consumer sentiment index fell 2.3 points from the previous month on the equity market correction and other factors, turning lower for the first time in four months. The housing price outlook index, which reflects consumers' expectations for home prices a year ahead, also declined for the first time in five months. Attention will focus on whether those trends persist this month.
The Asian Development Bank will release a new forecast for South Korea's real gross domestic product growth this year. The ADB projected 1.9% growth in April before raising its estimate 0.7 percentage point to 2.6% in July. With major institutions at home and abroad recently lifting their forecasts to the low- to mid-3% range, the ADB is expected to revise its projection higher again.
Separately, the government's briefing to the National Assembly on investment in the United States is expected this week. The government must report to parliament before finalizing a memorandum of understanding on investment with Washington, with Monday or Tuesday under discussion.
