Trade and Tariffs to Dominate Trump–Lee White House Talks

TDT | Manama

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US President Donald Trump has questioned South Korea’s political stability just hours before meeting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Washington.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the situation in Seoul “seems like a Purge or Revolution,” adding, “We can’t have that and do business there.”

South Korea has been in political turmoil since December, when former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Despite the crisis, today’s meeting at the White House is expected to focus heavily on trade.

In July, Trump announced a new trade deal with South Korea that includes a 15% tariff on imports such as cars and semiconductors. Previously, Seoul was facing a 25% levy. Under the agreement, South Korea will also invest $350 billion in the United States.

However, steel and aluminium exports from South Korea will be taxed at a higher rate of 50%, matching the global tariff set by Trump.

The deal was welcomed in Seoul as a win, with President Lee saying it put South Korea on equal or better terms compared to other countries. Importantly for his government, the agreement did not force Seoul to open its tightly protected rice and beef markets—an issue that could have triggered major protests from farmers.

Trade and tariffs are expected to dominate discussions when Trump and Lee meet later today.