South Korea’s Lee charms Trump with deals
Washington, DC – August 25: US President Donald Trump (R) and South Korean President Lee Jae -Myung are talking to journalists before the Oval Office meeting at the White House at the Washington DC on August 25, 2025. During Lee’s first official visit to the White House, the two leaders are preparing to discuss trade and military cooperation against North Korea and China, the best trade partner of South Korea. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images
On Monday, the US and South Korea announced a series of agreements in Washington, including multibillion -dollar investments, 50 billion dollars of aviation purchases by Korea Air, and new energy cooperation, as leaders of both countries came together in the Oval Office.
This includes an investment pledge of $ 150 billion from South Korean companies, the purchase of 103 aircraft from Boeing, as well as the purchase of South Korean ships and a shipbuilding partnership.
“We really need each other. We love what they do. We love their products. We love their ships. We love many things they do and we love that we have it,” he said during the press conference With South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
The announcements followed a July trade agreement that reduced US tariffs in South Korea exports – including cars – from 25% to 15%.
As a part of the agreement, Seoul invested $ 350 billion in the US and allocated $ 150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation.
Although Reuters reported that the 150 billion dollar promise was separate from the July 350 billion dollars covered by the July agreement, it was not immediately clear whether Monday’s hostage coincided with this figure.
“I believe it is a Renaissance that takes place not only in the shipbuilding sector but also in the manufacturing industry, and I hope Korea may be part of this Renaissance.”
Separately, Korea Air announced an agreement of about $ 50 billion to buy aircraft and engines from US manufacturers.
Agreement of South Korea’s flag carrier The purchase of 103 aircraft from the US aircraft manufacturer of 36.2 billion dollars BoeingAlso aircraft engines and maintenance services GE Aviation It is worth 13.7 billion dollars.
South Korean Media Organization said Yonhap This was the biggest agreement in the airline history.
Trump also said that the US would be partners with South Korea and Japan to improve Alaska’s natural gas reserves, but although he did not explain any details of the plan. Seoul has committed to purchase US energy of $ 100 billion within the scope of the July agreement.
In April, the USA, South Korea and Japan’s external ministers Met in Brussels And “committed to continue to strengthen energy security And The energy cooperation supported by America’s LNG and other energy resources and technologies is mutually useful. “
They also confirmed their loyalty to regional security, including resisting North Korea’s nuclear program.
On Monday, Trump expressed his desire to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong BM this year and said, “I really get along with him. I think he has a great potential, tremendous potential.”
Pyongyang did not respond immediately to Trump’s words, but State media kcna He made an ongoing statement on Monday Annual military exercise Between the United States and South Korea, Washington label “Nukes and belt crime that threatens humanity and the main criminal disturbing peace”.
Trump and Kim reached two summits in the first period of the US President, but did not reach any agreement on the North’s nuclear and ballistic missile program.
