NEW YORK — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea on Monday as Washington’s Asian allies sought reassurance ahead of President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Rubio held talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi in New York, where Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are due to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
Tokyo and Seoul are reportedly concerned that Trump could offer Beijing concessions on Taiwan or trade in exchange for an economic agreement. Analysts said any reduction in trade barriers for China could weaken the competitive position of US allies.
Trump is scheduled to host Xi at the White House on Thursday. South Korea’s Lee is seeking a meeting with Trump during the UN gathering, as Seoul and Washington negotiate details of a US$350 billion South Korean investment package linked to a trade deal agreed last year.
A South Korean opposition lawmaker has urged parliamentary scrutiny of the package, warning that energy-related negotiations could expose Seoul to disproportionate financial risks.
Japan is also seeking closer communication with Trump before the summit. Takaichi previously angered Beijing by saying that Tokyo could be drawn into a conflict over Taiwan, making the issue a key concern for all parties.