Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump have committed to pursuing a "mutually satisfactory" agreement regarding U.S. tariffs on American imports. This decision emerged from their initial phone conversation, following Lee's recent inauguration, as reported by Lee's office on Friday.According to Yonhap News Agency, the 20-minute phone discussion included Trump extending congratulations to Lee on his election win. Lee emphasized the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the cornerstone of Seoul's foreign policy, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung's written briefing.The two leaders resolved to expedite the process of reaching a mutually agreeable solution on the South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations. They also agreed to encourage tangible outcomes from the working-level discussions, as stated by the presidential office.Lee's dialogue with Trump, held just two days after assuming office, marked a significant step in restoring high-level diplomatic communicatio ns with Washington. This comes at a crucial time when both nations face numerous pressing challenges, including U.S. tariffs and North Korea's escalating military threats.A primary challenge for Lee will be to finalize a tariff policy agreement with Washington before July 8, when the suspension of Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs is set to expire. In April, the Trump administration had levied 25 percent tariffs on South Korean goods, followed by a three-month suspension to facilitate negotiations.During the call, Trump invited Lee to visit the United States. Lee expressed optimism for frequent consultations between the allies. The leaders agreed to meet at the earliest opportunity, whether at a multilateral forum or through a bilateral visit, to conduct more in-depth discussions on enhancing the South Korea-U.S. alliance.Potential venues for their first in-person meeting include the upcoming Group of Seven summit, scheduled for June 15-17 in Canada, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit, set for June 24-25 in the Netherlands.In addition to discussing diplomatic matters, Lee and Trump exchanged personal stories from their election campaigns, including political challenges and assassination threats they encountered. They also agreed to arrange a golf outing together when their schedules permit.Lee's office characterized the conversation as "friendly and casual," noting that it laid the groundwork for further bilateral discussions and helped build trust and rapport between the two leaders.
- September 15, 2026
