The US on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of key Asian allies Japan and South Korea, as the three nations expressed support for Taiwan ahead of a summit this week between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Analysts indicate that US allies are concerned Trump may offer concessions to Xi regarding Taiwan and trade in exchange for an economic agreement with Beijing during the meeting at the White House on Thursday.
Officials report that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are eager to meet with Trump during the UN General Assembly in New York, where all three leaders are scheduled to speak on Tuesday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in New York on Monday. They issued a joint statement, which appears to reference China, vowing to stand firm “against economic coercion and non-market policies and practices” and “arbitrary export restrictions that disrupt supply chains.”
The statement also welcomed the launch of a new trilateral consultation mechanism on economic security, aimed at strengthening supply chains and cooperation on critical technologies. It reiterated the US's “ironclad commitments to the defense of Japan and the ROK, backed by America’s unmatched military strength, including its nuclear capabilities, and reaffirmed its extended deterrence commitments to Japan and the ROK,” using the initials for the Republic of Korea, South Korea’s official name.
The ministers emphasized their commitment to robust security cooperation and the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations. Taiwan’s government welcomed the comments, stating that the renewed joint public support for maintaining peace and stability reflects a strong consensus of the international community.
Referring to North Korea, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and called for the resumption of dialogue. In addition to concerns about Taiwan, analysts noted that allies will be closely monitoring any trade announcements from the Trump-Xi summit for their potential impact on competitiveness relative to China. Even a modest reduction in trade barriers for Beijing could weaken their positions.
Takaichi previously angered Beijing by stating that Tokyo could be drawn into a conflict over Taiwan, while Seoul and Washington have been negotiating details of South Korea’s $350 billion investment package in the US under a trade deal established last year. On Monday, a South Korean opposition lawmaker called for parliamentary scrutiny of the investment package, warning that negotiations over energy projects could impose disproportionate financial risks on South Korea.