South Korean President Plans Washington Summit with Trump on Troops, Trade, North Korea

President Donald Trump is hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House in a summit aimed at revitalizing diplomacy with North Korea amid escalating tensions and Pyongyang's strengthened ties with Russia. The meeting focuses on multiple strategic issues, including troop costs, trade tariffs, and countering China's influence, with North Korea as a critical topic. This is Lee’s first face-to-face summit with Trump and occurs amid speculation about a potential reduction of the U.S. military presence in South Korea, as Washington urges Seoul to take on more responsibility in regional security. Lee is also looking to expand trade ties through U.S. investments in sectors like semiconductors and shipbuilding while addressing concerns about his previous criticisms of military drills and relations with China and Japan. Experts note that Trump, following a less successful summit with Russia, may be seeking a diplomatic win with South Korea to bolster his foreign policy. The discussions reflect broader geopolitical shifts in the region, with the U.S. balancing its commitments to South Korea and its strategic competition with China.