South Korea, US Near Summit Amid Trade, Defense Cost Talks

As President Donald Trump prepares for a summit with South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung, tensions persist over unresolved trade and diplomatic issues. Experts critique Trump's transactional approach to alliances, warning it may harm U.S.-South Korea relations given his past remarks implying exploitative views of allies and retro-imperialistic rhetoric. Recent trade talks yielded a preliminary agreement on a 15% tariff on South Korean autos, but key issues remain unsettled, including defense cost-sharing, corporate investment terms, currency management, and non-tariff barriers. South Korea continues discussions with the U.S. on these matters, including currency manipulation accusations from the U.S. Treasury, while negotiating the timing of tariff reductions. The absence of a formal, detailed agreement and conflicting claims, such as disagreements over profit allocations from planned investments, raise concerns about potential disputes during the summit. Overall, these complexities highlight the challenges in maintaining a strategic partnership amid evolving economic and security negotiations under Trump's administration.