US President Donald Trump will welcome South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to the White House on 25 August for talks covering their recent trade agreement, semiconductor cooperation, shipbuilding, and other strategic issues, according to Seoul officials.
This summit marks the first meeting between the two leaders since Lee’s election in June, which followed the removal of his predecessor after declaring martial law.
In response to proposed tariff reductions from 25 percent to 15 percent, President Trump announced in July that South Korea would invest 350 billion US dollars in the United States and purchase 100 billion US dollars’ worth of energy-related products.
Trump also noted that Seoul had agreed to make a significant additional investment, with details to be revealed during President Lee’s visit to Washington.
Lee’s office said the meeting will focus on elevating the alliance into a future-oriented strategic partnership in light of shifting global, security, and economic conditions.
A South Korean presidential spokesperson confirmed that discussions will address cooperation in manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding, as well as economic security partnerships involving advanced technology and critical minerals.
South Korean officials emphasized that Seoul’s commitment to helping the United States revive its shipbuilding industry is key to finalizing the trade deal. Washington has been increasingly looking to overseas shipyards to strengthen its military operations, positioning South Korea as a pivotal defence partner.
In 2024, Hanwha Ocean, one of South Korea’s largest shipbuilding companies, became the first non-US firm to be authorized to conduct dry-dock maintenance on US Navy vessels.
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