TRUMP SLAMS SOUTH KOREA-CHINA TRADE TALKS AHEAD OF WHITE HOUSE MEETING

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised South Korea for sending a trade delegation to China on the eve of his meeting with President Lee Jae Myung.

“What is going on in South Korea? Seems like a purge or revolution. We can’t have that and do business there,” Trump said on Monday.

The South Korean team, led by former parliament speaker Park Byeong-seug, met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss restoring trade ties.

Seoul defended the move, saying it was part of President Lee’s pragmatic foreign policy. “South Korea cannot afford to take a purely pro-U.S. or pro-China stance. We are committed to pragmatic diplomacy,” a presidential aide said.

President Lee arrived in Washington on Monday morning. His talks with Trump are expected to cover North Korea, defence cost-sharing, and semiconductor supply chains.

The U.S. stations 28,500 troops in South Korea. Trump has demanded Seoul pay more. “It is only fair that allies share more of the cost for their own defence,” he said last week.

Analysts warn the timing of Seoul’s outreach to Beijing could complicate the White House talks. “South Korea is walking a tightrope. It relies on China for trade but on the U.S. for security,” said Shin Beom-chul, a former deputy defence minister.

Businesses in Seoul back stronger ties with China, while public opinion remains more favourable to the U.S. alliance.

President Lee has framed his approach as balance. “Our path forward is not to choose between the U.S. and China, but to ensure South Korea’s survival and prosperity,” he said during his campaign.