President Trump in South Korea ahead of key meeting with China’s Xi as U.S. shutdown deepens

President Donald Trump has arrived in South Korea, his final stop on a weeklong tour of Asia.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump has arrived in South Korea, his final stop on a weeklong tour of Asia, as he prepares for a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump said he believes a new era of trade is within reach after months of tariff battles and rising tensions between Washington and Beijing. “You know that President Xi of China is coming tomorrow, and we’re going to be, I hope, making a deal,” Trump told reporters. “I think it’ll be a good deal for both.”

While the world watches to see if the talks can cool the global trade war, back home in the U.S., the government shutdown continues with no resolution in sight.

The Senate failed to advance a Republican-backed funding bill, extending the shutdown into its 29th day as both parties continue to trade blame.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said, “So 42 million people are going to suffer because they’re playing political games.” Meanwhile, 25 states and the District of Columbia are suing the administration to stop SNAP food benefits from expiring this week, arguing that the USDA is legally obligated to use emergency funds to keep the program running.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) criticized the president, saying, “What Donald Trump is doing—and Republicans in Congress are supporting him—is making this shutdown as cruel and painful as possible.”

Furloughed federal employees continue to feel the strain. Air traffic controller Peter LeFevre said, “I’m simply a federal worker trying to do a job and bring home a paycheck for my family.”

LaShanda Palmer, president of TSA’s AFGE Local 333, added, “My utilities are due. My car note is due. My insurance is due. It’s hard.”

As Trump focuses on diplomacy abroad, millions of Americans at home are still waiting for relief.