Recent political changes in the United States, Japan, and South Korea have injected uncertainty into their relations, which have been strengthened in recent years to counter China and North Korea. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing an impeachment trial, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is hamstrung by a minority government, and the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump disdains alliances.
Ishiba is set to meet with Trump in the first major indication of how the U.S. will interact with Asian democracies. Both Japan and South Korea are wary of China’s rise, but also count it among their top trading partners. Ishiba’s challenge will be to sell Trump on the importance of U.S. security commitments in Asia and avoid tariffs that Trump has imposed on other countries.
In South Korea, there are worries about falling behind in engaging with the Trump administration due to political instability. Trump has spoken with Yoon but has not engaged directly with acting President Choi Sang-mok. South Korea is eager to coordinate with the U.S. on North Korea, which poses a threat to both South Korea and Japan. Both countries host U.S. troops and have come under pressure to shoulder more of the cost.
There is anxiety in both countries about potential tariffs from the U.S., but experts see no obvious reason for them to be directly targeted. Despite the uncertainty, Ishiba and other leaders are working to maintain relationships with the U.S. and navigate the changing geopolitical landscape in Asia.
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