First South Korea-U.S. Summit Stalled... Trump Returns Home Amid Middle East Tensions
All Eyes on Tariff Working-Level Talks
Alternatives Considered: NATO Summit and U.S. Visit
Amid escalating military clashes between Israel and Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to return home early on the 16th (local time) during the Group of Seven (G7) summit, introducing a new variable to President Lee Jaemyung's first diplomatic initiative concerning 'tariff negotiations.'
Given the circumstances, the focus must be on announcing South Korea's return to the global stage after a six-month absence following the 12·3 Martial Law incident. However, on the second day of his summit diplomacy (the 17th), President Lee confirmed a Korea-Japan summit and held his first face-to-face talks with Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
President Lee attended the G7 summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, as the leader of an invited nation. It was a dramatic diplomatic debut just 12 days after his inauguration. President Lee entered the summit with three main agendas: 'return to the international stage after martial law,' 'kickstarting trade diplomacy,' and 'restoring South Korea's status as a nation that has revived democracy.' In this context, the most anticipated event of this schedule was undoubtedly the first summit with President Trump. Key issues expected to be discussed between South Korea and the U.S. included tariff negotiations, defense cost-sharing, and the repositioning of U.S. forces in Korea, but the meeting ultimately did not take place.
The White House announced that President Trump was returning home to respond to the heightened military tensions between Israel and Iran. During the G7 summit, President Trump held a series of bilateral meetings with Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union (EU), but was unable to attend the scheduled meeting with South Korea. An official from the presidential office stated, "The cause appears to be the military clash between Israel and Iran," and added, "We received a message from the U.S. side requesting understanding."
A senior official from the presidential office commented on the cancellation of the South Korea-U.S. summit at the G7, stating, "Had the summit taken place, it would have provided greater momentum for working-level negotiations, but the negotiations themselves have not come to a halt." National Security Adviser Wi Sunglak also said in a pre-departure briefing, "The G7 summit could serve as an opportunity to inject momentum into resolving diplomatic and economic trade issues such as tariffs," and had expressed high expectations for a meeting with President Trump.
After receiving the report that the South Korea-U.S. summit had been canceled, President Lee reportedly instructed that efforts be made to reschedule it as soon as possible. The next opportunity for the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. to meet will likely be at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on the 24th and 25th. The presidential office stated regarding the possibility of a South Korea-U.S. summit at NATO, "If President Lee attends the NATO summit, it is likely to happen."
It is also known that there is a high possibility President Trump will attend the NATO summit. If this opportunity is missed, the first face-to-face meeting could take place if President Lee visits the U.S. at President Trump's invitation. Since the working-level deadline for the most critical trade issue between South Korea and the U.S.?the tariff negotiations?is July 8, the timing of the summit is expected to be a significant variable in the negotiation framework.
The presidential office emphasized, "Ministerial and working-level negotiations are ongoing, so the negotiations themselves are not being delayed, but a summit would certainly provide additional momentum," expressing a strong determination to reschedule the meeting.
On the first day of the summit, President Lee focused on highlighting the resilience of South Korean democracy to the international community during his meetings with G7 leaders. At the G7 welcome reception, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa commented that "the resilience of Korean democracy is impressive." President Lee expressed his respect for the late former President Nelson Mandela and delivered the message, "Korea has risen again."
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