South Korea's Lee Faces Critical Summit with Trump

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung faces a defining moment today as he meets U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington for their first summit, a high-stakes encounter amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Lee, who assumed office in June 2025 after a snap election, aims to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance while navigating tensions with China, South Korea’s largest trading partner.

The U.S. is a key ally, with 28,500 American troops in South Korea and nuclear protection to back it up. But Trump has grumbled before about South Korea getting a “free ride” on defense, and there’s worry he might demand more cash for it. Lee, who apparently read Trump’s The Art of the Deal on the plane, is hoping to hit it off with him and avoid any curveballs.

• South Korea’s Lee Meets Trump in High-Stakes Summit on Security and Trade
• President Lee Jae Myung Faces Crucial U.S. Talks with Trump Amid China Tensions
• Lee-Trump Summit: South Korea Seeks Stronger Alliance While Balancing China

Trade’s another sore spot. South Korea recently worked out a deal to avoid hefty U.S. tariffs, promising big investments, but the specifics aren’t clear yet. Lee’s team wants to steer the conversation toward security instead of trade fights. After the meeting, Lee’s heading to a Philadelphia shipyard owned by South Korea’s Hanwha Group to show off their investment in American jobs.

When it comes to North Korea, Lee and Trump both want to talk rather than fight, with Lee suggesting a gradual approach to getting Kim Jong Un to give up nukes. But Kim’s not playing nice, testing new air defense systems recently. Lee’s recent chat in Tokyo with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba showed they’re teaming up with the U.S., though North Korea called it sucking up to Washington.

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Lee’s also trying to patch things up with China, sending diplomats to ease tensions. Walking the line between U.S. security and China’s economic pull is tough, and some say Lee’s big plans could backfire if he’s not careful. This summit is his chance to prove he’s got what it takes.