28-Minute Call with Acting President Han Ducksoo
Hints at Possible Renegotiation of Defense Cost-Sharing
Potential for a 'Package Deal'... "One-Stop Shopping Is Efficient"
U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on the 8th (local time) that he had a broad discussion with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo regarding tariffs, shipbuilding, the purchase of U.S. energy, and defense cost-sharing (costs for the U.S. military stationed in South Korea). He described the discussion of various issues beyond tariffs and trade as a "one-stop shopping" experience and assessed that "the situation looks good."
President Trump stated on his social networking service (SNS) Truth Social, which he created, "I just had a good call with Korea's Acting President."
He explained, "We discussed the huge and unsustainable (South Korea's trade) surplus, tariffs, shipbuilding, large-scale purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Alaska pipeline joint venture, and the payment issues related to the massive military protection provided to Korea."
In particular, referring to the defense cost-sharing issue, he pointed out, "During my first term, Korea began spending billions of dollars on defense, but Sleepy Joe Biden inexplicably ended the deal," adding, "It was shocking to everyone."
This reiterates the necessity of expanding South Korea's defense cost-sharing, which he has pointed out since before the presidential election, and it appears that this issue was a key topic in the call with Acting President Han. This suggests that he will seek renegotiation demanding an increase in South Korea's defense cost-sharing in the future.
President Trump indicated that he discussed various issues with Korea beyond tariffs and trade as a "one-stop shopping" experience and suggested that future negotiations could proceed smoothly.
He evaluated, "In any case, we have the limits and possibilities of a good deal for both countries," and said, "Their best team boarded the plane to the U.S., and the situation looks good." He continued, "Like Korea, we are raising other topics not covered in trade and tariffs and conducting negotiations. One-stop shopping is a beautiful and efficient process," emphasizing this point.
It appears that Acting President Han and President Trump discussed a 'package deal' that handles various issues at once, including trade issues like tariffs, as well as industrial and security cooperation such as shipbuilding and defense industry.
The call lasted about 28 minutes, from 8:03 a.m. to 8:31 a.m. Eastern Time on the 8th. This was the first call between the two leaders in 78 days since President Trump's inauguration on January 20. The call, held ahead of the full implementation of mutual tariffs at midnight on the 9th, is drawing attention to what results it may produce in subsequent negotiations with the U.S. and after the mutual tariffs take effect. The U.S. set South Korea's mutual tariff rate at 25%.
Meanwhile, President Trump also left open the possibility of dialogue with China. He emphasized, "China also wants a deal but doesn't know how to start," adding, "We are waiting for their call. It will happen."
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