（Singapore, 26.08.2025）In a whirlwind day of high-stakes diplomacy, President Donald Trump hosted South Korea’s newly elected President, Lee Jae Myung, for their first face-to-face meeting. The encounter, which was filled with both moments of tension and surprising friendliness, set the stage for major economic and security announcements, including a massive aircraft purchase and renewed talk of a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The day began with a hint of drama. On social media, Trump expressed his concerns about what he called a “Purge or Revolution” in South Korea, comments that came as a surprise and caused some anxiety for South Korean officials.
These remarks seemed to be a response to reports about police raids on certain churches and even a joint US military base in South Korea—events that were part of the political turmoil following the impeachment of Lee’s predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.
However, the mood quickly shifted once the two leaders were in the Oval Office. President Lee, showing a well-prepared diplomatic strategy, launched a “charm offensive.” He praised Trump’s economic achievements, admired the gold finishes in the Oval Office, and spoke about the American president’s peacekeeping efforts.
Lee even went so far as to suggest that if peace could be made with North Korea, Trump could build one of his famous towers there. This flattery seemed to win Trump over, and he quickly walked back his earlier critical comments, calling the incidents in South Korea a “misunderstanding” after Lee explained the situation.
Securing a Deal: A $350 Billion Pledge and a 15% Tariff
Despite the initial tension, the meeting was ultimately productive. A major focus of the talks was the trade relationship between the two countries. Back in July, the two nations had reached a last-minute trade deal that set a 15% tariff on South Korean goods imported into the US, allowing South Korea to avoid a much higher 25% rate that Trump had threatened.
This deal also included a pledge from South Korea to invest a significant amount of money—up to $350 billion—in the US, with a large portion earmarked for US industries like shipbuilding.
Even with the deal in place, the details were still being worked out. Trump made it clear that the terms of the agreement would not be changed, saying, “We stuck to our guns.” This signaled that the US administration was eager for South Korea to follow through on its investment promises.
The two leaders also discussed defense cooperation and the issue of South Korea’s financial contributions to the upkeep of the 28,500 American troops stationed there, a topic Trump has frequently raised.
Korean Air Pledges $50 Billion to U.S. in Landmark Deal Following Trump-Lee Talks
The visit wasn’t just about political talk. It also brought a huge economic announcement that highlighted the strong business ties between the two nations.
In a move that clearly aligned with the trade discussions, Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier, announced a record-breaking order for 103 Boeing jets. This deal, valued at $36.2 billion, is the largest in the airline’s history and includes a mix of Boeing 787s, 777s, and 737s.
The announcement was a huge win for American manufacturing and a tangible sign of South Korea’s commitment to its investment pledges. It also included a separate $13.7 billion deal with GE Aerospace for engines and maintenance, further cementing the economic partnership.
Trump Signals Renewed Interest in a Fourth Kim Jong Un Summit
Perhaps the most significant and attention-grabbing part of the day was the discussion about North Korea. President Lee used his time with Trump to encourage him to continue his diplomatic efforts with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader. He urged Trump to be a “world-historical peacemaker” and bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.
Responding to Lee’s encouragement, Trump said he would “like to meet” with Kim Jong Un again this year. He also spoke of his “very friendly” relationship with the North Korean leader, a connection he had built through two summits during his first term in office. These comments come even as North Korea’s military has been ramping up its rhetoric and missile testing, with Kim Jong Un recently supervising a test of new air defense systems and vowing to speed up his nuclear program.
While direct diplomacy with Kim has been on hold since Trump’s last term, his remarks suggest a renewed interest in pursuing talks. The new South Korean president, Lee, is also keen to see a peaceful resolution and a balanced relationship with both the US and China, its top trading partner. Lee had even sent a special delegation to Beijing to normalize ties ahead of his trip to Washington, showing his commitment to navigating the complex geopolitics of the region.
In the end, the meeting between Trump and Lee demonstrated the complex and sometimes unpredictable nature of international relations. Despite a rocky start and lingering trade tensions, the summit ended on a high note, with a major economic deal and a shared goal of finding a path to peace with North Korea.
With the stage now set, the world will be watching to see if a fourth summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un becomes a reality and what it might mean for the future of the Korean Peninsula.
