South Korea’s Lee Meets Trump with Trade and Security on Agenda
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington for his first bilateral summit. The meeting comes after Lee’s election victory in June and follows a trade deal that eased tariff tensions between the two countries.
Trade Agreement and Investments
In July, both nations agreed to reduce U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods from a proposed 25% to 15%. In return, Seoul pledged large investments in the United States, including $100 billion in energy imports and commitments through a $350 billion fund. South Korean companies like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG are also expected to announce new projects during the visit.
Defense Spending and Troop Costs
Talks will focus heavily on sharing the costs of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Trump is seeking a sharp increase in Seoul’s contributions, which currently exceed $1 billion annually. Discussions will also cover the role of the 28,500 U.S. troops on the peninsula and joint military exercises amid ongoing North Korean threats.
Strategic Balancing with China and Japan
President Lee faces the challenge of balancing ties with Washington and Beijing. Ahead of his U.S. visit, he sent a delegation to China to push for normalized relations and stronger economic cooperation. At the same time, strengthening trilateral coordination with Japan and addressing North Korea’s nuclear program remain central to his foreign policy agenda.
