In their initial phone call as official since the inauguration of South Korea’s new president Lee Jae-myung, US President Donald Trump and Lee concurred on seeking a quick and mutually agreeable tariff deal, as stated in a statement published by Lee’s office on Friday.
The two leaders also exchanged personal insights, campaign stories, and showed their common desire to fortify the alliance of the United States and South Korea. The call was the starting point of a significant diplomatic relationship, particularly as both nations traverse emerging trade dynamics and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
Trump had earlier imposed South Korea with tariffs even under a free trade pact, while pushing Seoul to raise its own financial contribution for hosting 28,500 American troops. The result of these recent negotiations is crucial for South Korea’s economy, with sectors such as semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding heavily reliant on overseas markets.
Both leaders also agreed to “encourage working-level negotiations” that will produce “tangible results” on tariffs, Lee’s office said. A White House official also said Trump has invited Lee to an American summit, with both sides agreeing to sit down in person shortly.
In their exchange, the two presidents shared their personal struggles during their previous campaigns. Lee, who recovered from a knife attack last year, and Trump, who has been politically embroiled, shared that adversity is what typically defines leadership. They also connected over their shared passion for golf and had a light exchange when Lee shared that she was given a signed hat by Trump.
Lee, who was elected on June 3 after the impeachment of his conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, has been open about wanting to keep close US relations but repair China and North Korean ties as well indicating a more even-handed diplomatic strategy ahead.
