Trump asks if we can “do business” in South Korea

South Korean President Li Ju-Muna spoke during a press conference in the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

Anne Young Jun | Through Reuters

President Donald Trump Give doubts on Monday on the United States’ abilities running business South KoreaA few hours before he had to hold a new leader’s key trading partner in White House for a personal summit.

President of South Korea Lee Jay Muwho took office in June after Snap -elections must discuss investment information in A trading agreement of nations and the shipbuilding of the transaction during his visit.

But just before Lee was supposed to come to the White House, Trump painted South Korea as a nation in disorder, saying on social networks that the country feels “cleaning” or “revolution”.

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What happens in South Korea? “,” he wrote in the All Caps message on his platform on social media.

“We can’t have it and do business there,” he continued.

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for a comment, or gave further clarity of what Trump referred to his post.

South Korean president, for his part, stated that this was “checking () the situation” after Trump’s remarks, according to Seoul’s information Yonhap news agency.

Trump’s unexpected comments may foresee more than what the South Korean leaders wanted.

Only a few months after Lee, Trump’s meeting is the main test of foreign policy for the recently elected president.

Two countries have reached trading transaction This restricted tariffs for South Korea’s exports to the US by 15%.

This tariff was lower than 25%, which Trump had previously threatened.

But he also stated that South Korea “will give the US $ 350 billion for investment owned and controlled by the US and elected president.”

Since then, The questions arose Above the investment collateral and how it will be structured.

The investment is expected to be the key point of talks between two leaders on Monday.

Another point of discussion is likely to be the front and the center at the meeting is a transaction to enhance US shipbuilding in South Korea.

South Korean representatives announced a $ 150 billion proposal they called “Make America Shipbuilding Again Great“The desire to revive shipbuilding in the US.

The proposal was held within the framework of the trade talks between the two countries.

Another topic that can be discussed is the future more than 28,000 US troops Located in South Korea.

Trump wants South Korea to take a great responsibility in his defense efforts so that US troops can focus on China, but South Korea is worried that this could leave the country more vulnerable to North Korea threats.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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