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President Trump Visits Japan During Asia Tour; U.S. and China Work Toward a Trade Deal; Jamaica Braces for Hurricane Melissa. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired October 27, 2025 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[05:00:00]

ERICA HILL, ANCHOR, EARLY START: Good morning and welcome to our viewers joining us from the United States and all around the world, it's good to have you here on this Monday, I'm Erica Hill, it is October 27th, 5:00 a.m. here in New York. Straight ahead on EARLY START.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President Trump is planning to meet with the Japanese emperor and newly-elected prime minister.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I look forward to meeting the new prime minister. I hear phenomenal things.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The U.S. and China have reached a framework for a trade deal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The U.S. position has been tough whereas China has been firm in defending its own interest and rights.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hurricane Melissa is strengthening once again. Conditions are really starting to deteriorate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is going to be huge. Find a safe place to ride out this hurricane.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: U.S. President Donald Trump is now in Tokyo. It is the second stop on his tour of Asia. He is planning to meet with the Japanese emperor this hour tomorrow. He's set to hold talks with Japan's newly- elected prime minister. President Trump's six-day trip across three nations is aimed at strengthening U.S. diplomatic ties in the region.

On his way to Tokyo, the President told reporters he is open to extending his trip to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong un. All eyes though are on his upcoming summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which is set to take place in South Korea later this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. and China have agreed on a framework for a trade deal.

This after a new round of talks in Malaysia. CNN's Kristen Holmes and Hanako Montgomery are both in Tokyo for President Trump's visit. Kristen, I'll go first to you, in terms of this visit for the President, for the White House, what are the main things that he is hoping to accomplish, Kristen, on this trip?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, when you hear President Trump talk about Japan, he keeps talking about great friendship, that this is just an opportunity for the United States to showcase how close it is to Japan to highlight the relationship between the two countries.

Now, of course, Japanese officials likely have more on the agenda to talk about defense spending as well as trade, as well as that $550 billion investment that Japan is going to be making in the United States that they haven't quite ironed out the details on. When it comes for President Trump, a lot of this is the pomp and circumstance and the showcasing of the relationship, which he views as critical.

We know in just moments we're going to see him arrive at the Imperial Palace. He's going to meet with the emperor there. But of course, that is largely a symbolic job. So, instead, all the diplomacy is going to be happening when he sits down with the Prime Minister for the first time, and he's going into that with really a lot of optimism.

The two of them have never met face-to-face, but they have spoken on the phone on Saturday. He said that she praised him for the Gaza deal as well as talked to him about her mentor, Shinzo Abe; the former prime minister of Japan, who was assassinated. Someone President Trump was incredibly close to. Here's what President Trump just said moments ago on the plane about meeting the Prime Minister.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

TRUMP: I look forward to meeting the new Prime Minister. I hear phenomenal things. She was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend, the former prime minister. And he was -- he was great. He was one of my -- he was one of the best. And the group, he was one of the best, really best.

And I know they were very close, and I think philosophically, they were close, which is good. It's going to be very good, that really helps Japan and the United States. I think she's going to be great.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HOLMES: So, the meeting is likely to be more of a test for Sanae Takaichi, who is new to this role, who has very limited diplomatic experience than it is for President Trump. But of course, it will be one to watch. But all of this is really setting the tone and the stage for that big meeting between President Trump and President Xi.

And as you noted, we've gotten an idea that these intermediaries, these negotiators between the U.S. and China have come up with some sort of framework to enter into that meeting between the two leaders. It's still unclear what the expectation is, coming out other than the fact that they are likely to sign a full final deal on TikTok.

But anything on trade is still up in the air. But that's really what all eyes are on as we've entered into this kind of back-and-forth months long trade war with China that both sides are hoping to de- escalate.

HILL: Absolutely, Kristen, thank you. Hanako Montgomery also with us. Hanako, as Kristen mentioned, there's a lot of optimism on the part of President Trump here.

[05:05:00]

And of course, he is really leaning into that important relationship between the Prime Minister and the late Shinzo Abe. You had also noted that back in November, just after the election last year, President Trump had actually invited the new Prime Minister, who, of course, had not been elected then to meet in the United States. But this will in fact be the first meeting.

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN REPORTER: You're absolutely right, Erica. Actually on X, Takaichi; the new Japanese Prime Minister posted about how the U.S. President Donald Trump, who was just elected as the President, had invited her. There was also a few officials from Trump's side that invited her to meet the U.S. President.

Now, she did decline that invitation because she felt as though the first person to meet the U.S. President should be then Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Now, of course, this is their first official meeting. Trump and Takaichi will likely talk about a number of different things, including trade, defense, possibly also security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Also, Erica, I do just want to point out here that we did see Trump's motorcade going by here just a few moments ago, we can confirm that they've entered the Imperial compound. And just a little bit of color here, but this is actually a really popular running space for many locals. And this complete -- this area was just completely shut down.

Of course, very high security, lots of police presence, and people had to just kind of stop and wait for Trump's car to go through. So, again, as Kristen mentioned, of course, first on Trump's agenda is to meet the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and then the official talks between the Japanese Prime Minister and Trump himself will take place Tuesday morning local time.

Now, as I mentioned, trade is definitely going to be very much featured during those talks, that $550 billion investment deal will likely be a thorny issue that Japan is hoping to figure out, figure out the details of, and then also defense. Japan has pushed to boost defense spending to 2 percent of GDP by 2027, which of course is music to Trump's ears.

He's long pushed for U.S. allies and also Japan to boost their defense-spending. But very importantly, just last week, Takaichi mentioned and said that they were going to boost defense spending by March 2026. So, effectively, bringing up that deadline far earlier. Now, a lot of the experts I've spoken to have said that this is likely to appease Trump.

Just appeal to him that Takaichi is the woman that he should be looking out for, is the woman that he should be making deals with, and to really engage in positive diplomacy as they are trying to bring their relationship to new heights. Erica.

HILL: All right, we'll be watching for all of it, Hanako, thank you. And Kristen, thank you again. Well, while Japan is the focus today, we are also looking ahead to President Trump's expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week. And we're learning a little bit more about the major points in that trade deal framework, reportedly ironed out by U.S. and Chinese negotiators.

The U.S. Treasury Secretary says China will make, in his words, substantial purchases of U.S. soybeans after previously stopping those orders. Trump and Xi are also expected to finalize the transfer of TikTok's ownership so that it can operate within the U.S. The White House may lift or reduce a tariff on chemicals exported from China used to create the dangerous drug, fentanyl, and the deal could also speed up America's access to rare earths in China.

A lot of focus on that as we know. News of the potential deal between the U.S. and China is having a positive impact on the markets. You see U.S. futures there, all in the green at this hour as a result for all three major indices. As for the markets in Asia, those major markets seeing a boost as well.

The markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai all closing in positive territory. Kristie Lu Stout is following the developments for us on this trade deal. She joins us now from Hong Kong. So, in terms of this framework, what more do we know about what the deal could actually look like in the end?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we are getting a little bit more details, global investors as well. In fact, markets have been absolutely buoyant this day as investors price in what they are anticipating next, which is and could be another trade truce between the U.S. and China.

The U.S. and China have reached a framework for a trade deal, and because of that, they are easing the tension between this highly- anticipated meeting between the U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Over the weekend on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we heard from the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

And what he said is, he expects China to delay its export curbs on rare earths for a year. And that is significant because as we remember, previously, the U.S. President, he had threatened to impose 100 percent fresh new tariffs on China in response to export curbs that were threatened by China on rare earths.

Now Donald Trump, he is confident that he can secure another trade deal with China, that he can secure another trade truce. The Chinese, they're taking a much more, let's say cautious approach. I want you to listen to this from Li Chenggang. He's a Vice Minister of the Commerce Ministry in China. He's also the top trade negotiator. Watch this.

[05:10:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LI CHENGGANG, VICE MINISTER, COMMERCE MINISTRY, CHINA (through translator): The U.S. position has been tough, whereas China has been firm in defending its own interests and rights. Over the past more- than-a-days time, we have experienced very intense consultations and engaged in constructive exchanges and exploring solutions and arrangements to address these concerns.

The two sides have reached preliminary consensus on these issues. And next, we are each going to go through our domestic, internal approval processes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Now, Li Chenggang there saying, quote, "that preliminary consensus has been reached, and it's going to be shopped around for approval inside Beijing". Rare earths remain, and they have been a major sticking point in this relationship. China absolutely dominates the global supply in this product.

A series of minerals that are found in everything from our phones to our screens to our EVs, even in defense infrastructure like missiles and drones. But in addition to rare earths, you do have a number of other issues that have been discussed, including the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China into the United States, including U.S. port entrance fees and, of course, TikTok.

Scott Bessent over the weekend saying that a, quote, "final deal" has been reached on TikTok, and that she and Trump are expected to, quote, "consummate the deal". But again, Erica, we have to find out a confirmation from the Chinese side whether this meeting is going to take place. We were tuning in to the daily Ministry of Foreign Affairs' conference this afternoon, that takes place every day in Beijing, and still no official confirmation from China whether this Xi-Trump meeting will take place as planned, as anticipated in South Korea later this week. Back to you --

HILL: Yes, and so we wait and we watch. Kristie Lu Stout for us in Hong Kong, thank you. Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 storm. It is due to make landfall in Jamaica in the coming hours. The National Hurricane Center warns this destructive storm with its massive winds and the storm surge could cause catastrophic flooding, and it should worsen throughout the day and into the night.

Part of that issue is not just the intensity, but the slow-moving nature of this storm, and that is adding to the concern for many Jamaicans, many of whom have never experienced a hurricane of this magnitude. Here's more from the mayor of Kingston.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR ANDREW SWABY, KINGSTON, JAMAICA: We have never had the experience of a Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane. This is going to be huge. And I will say to persons with low-lying area, you know your area, you have seen what it is like. And I'm just encouraging you to find somewhere safe. You may not want to go to the shelter, find a family member or a friend and still ride out the storm there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam is in Kingston, Jamaica. He's got a closer look at what is expected in the coming hours and days.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST (on camera): Hurricane Melissa is strengthening once again. Conditions are really starting to deteriorate as expected here in Kingston, Jamaica. We're getting this kind of first taste of the gusty winds, some of palm trees starting to sway back and forth. And of course, the heavy rain is just now beginning.

And that is the concern about this hurricane, this slow-moving catastrophe that will unfold in this island nation over the coming days. This will be a long duration event that has the potential to drop months worth of rain in a matter of a couple of days, and that will most certainly lead to catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, mudslides.

On top of that, we have the potential, according to the National Hurricane Center, to experience hurricane-force winds in excess of 24 hours. Imagine that. A whole day of winds in excess of 70-75 miles per hour. That is just so intense, it doesn't give any of the residents here any time to come out and assess damage, assess the situation, and try to recover.

It is going to be this long duration rain and wind event and storm- surge event that could isolate this island nation of 3 million people for several days with the National Hurricane Center warning of communities being isolated because of the heavy rain and flash flooding for days. We need to rush to completion.

Our protection of life and property, if you haven't already done so, these are the critical moments. What we're seeing is a slight westward jog in the projected forecast landfall point. So, that would bring Kingston, where I'm located, into some of the worst rain, but perhaps spare it from the strongest of winds. Remember, you can hide from the wind, but you need to run from the water. CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam, Kingston, Jamaica.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: Still ahead here this hour, early voting is underway for New York City's mayoral race, setting new records over the weekend. A closer look at those numbers ahead. Plus, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani drawing a massive crowd as his campaign enters the final stretch. His pitch to voters with just days left before the election.

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[05:15:00]

HILL: A record number of New Yorkers casting their ballots in the city's mayor's race in the first weekend of early voting. The city's board of elections says 164,000 people voted over the weekend. That's actually more than five times the number of people who voted during the same period four years ago. The highest turnout in Brooklyn and Manhattan, each accounting for about 30 percent of early voters.

Early voting runs through November 2nd, election day is November 4th. Meantime, the race's front-runner Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, addressing his supporters in Queens on Sunday, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders also there on stage with him. Mamdani had words for one of his biggest critics President Donald Trump.

[05:20:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZOHRAN MAMDANI, CANDIDATE FOR NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: While Donald Trump's billionaire donors think that they have the money to buy this election, we have a movement of the masses.

(CHEERS)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: CNN's Gloria Pazmino was at that rally and has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, Zohran Mamdani just wrapping up his speech here tonight alongside Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, encouraging his supporters to go out there and continue to campaign. He told them here tonight that they should not take any of this for granted.

He said he expects his opponents to continue spending millions of dollars over the next nine days to oppose his campaign. He asked him to continue to go out and canvass for his campaign over the next few days until election day. Now, he also spoke about his campaign promises, to freeze the rent, to make the city buses fast and free, and to provide universal child care.

He talked about how that has been the core tenant of his campaign, and how he is hoping that support he's been able to get so far will enable him to deliver on that promise. He also talked about President Trump. He said that this election is a choice between democracy and oligarchy. Oligarchy, a reference to the former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and his millionaire and billionaire donors, which have been funding his campaign and donating to Super PACS that are opposing Mamdani's campaign.

He talked about how this campaign was about working class people, echoing many of the same messages that we have heard from Bernie Sanders, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. You could really feel in the reaction of the crowd and in what they were saying, this fight that the Democratic Party is having right now, whether or not they should touch more to the left or more to the center as they try and figure out how to oppose President Trump.

Another interesting point that Mamdani said here tonight, he said that when he started this campaign, he went out and talked to voters who had supported Donald Trump for a second time because of the cost of living. He said that he heard from New Yorkers who were willing to support Trump over that issue.

And he said that Trump so far has failed to deliver. And that's the uniting message of this campaign, he said here tonight. There is still a few more days to go until the general election, which is on November 4th. Thousands of New Yorkers have already cast their ballots. Mamdani telling me earlier today, he is not taking any of this for granted. He will continue to campaign until the last minute. Gloria Pazmino, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: French Police say they have arrested two suspects in the brazen Louvre jewel heist, that is coming up. Plus, new glimpse of a nine- year-old girl missing in California. The latest on the search for Melodee Buzzard is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:25:00]

HILL: French police now have two suspects in custody who they say are linked to last weekend's crown jewel heist at the Louvre museum. According to local media reporting, one man was arrested at the Charles de Gaulle Airport while trying to leave the country. CNN's Melissa Bell has the latest now from Paris.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): A breakthrough in the case around the heist at the Louvre Museum last Sunday morning. Two arrests were made on Saturday night in France according to the Paris prosecutors' office, including of one man who had been preparing to leave France at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

A 100 investigators have been working on this since the break in at the world's most visited museum last Sunday morning. And the fear had been that the suspects might have left the country. In the end, it was here that they found these two. According to French press reports, the man preparing to leave the country had been trying to get to Algeria.

They are -- say -- French media reports two men in their 30s. The prosecutors' office is not giving much more away, and the Interior Minister is urging caution as they continue to build their case. But clearly, very good news for the BRB, the French unit of police that has been looking into this case and under a great deal of pressure to come up with some results.

For now, we understand that there isn't much word on where the jewels might be, but certainly, the fact two men have been taken into custody, good news, after a week of desperate searches for some information that might lead them to some conclusions, and what's been described here in France as the break-in of the century. Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: One person is dead, six others injured after a shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. The gunfire broke out Saturday night during homecoming celebrations at the historically black college near Philadelphia. Authorities are still piecing together exactly what happened, but they do say it does not appear it was a planned campus attack.

There is a suspect in custody on a weapons charge. Investigators though still trying to determine what led to the shooting. New clues in the frantic search for a missing 9-year-old girl. She hasn't been seen in weeks. California officials releasing some new images though, captured by a surveillance camera that show Melodee Buzzard just before she went on the cross-country trip with her mother, Ashley(ph).

They left earlier this month, officials say Ashley(ph) eventually returned home without her daughter. CNN's Julia Vargas Jones has more details now on the girl's disappearance.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Investigators have now pinpointed the critical window in Melodee Buzzard's disappearance, releasing new images they hope will help explain what happened on that trip with her mother. This has narrowed down the timeline of her disappearance.