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Trump nominates Bessent to be US treasury secretary
President-elect Donald Trump picked prominent investor Scott Bessent to take on the role of U.S. treasury secretary.
Biden Holds Strategic Talks with South Korea, Japan Ahead of Potential Trump Policy Shifts
Reuters
U.S. President Joe Biden met with the leaders of South Korea and Japan on Friday to reinforce recent diplomatic progress as concerns grow over potential disruptions to alliances under a new Donald Trump administration.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru, brought Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba together for the first time in person. U.S. relations with Beijing are expected to become more contentious after Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, with his proposed steep tariff increases posing risks to China’s economy.
The gathering comes amid rising tensions in Asia, fueled by North Korea’s troop deployments to Russia in support of the war in Ukraine, North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and dimming hopes for a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict with South Korea.
“Japan, the ROK (South Korea), and the United States strongly condemn the decisions by the leaders of the DPRK (North Korea) and Russia to dangerously expand Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” stated a joint declaration, referring to South Korea and North Korea by their official names, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Following the meeting, the three nations announced the establishment of a Trilateral Secretariat to institutionalize their cooperation beyond regular meetings, as explained by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan during a press briefing aboard Air Force One on Thursday.
Strengthening ties between Japan and South Korea, long strained by historical tensions stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945, has been highlighted as a significant diplomatic success of Biden’s presidency.
Biden emphasized the importance of this trilateral relationship as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the region, though Beijing has dismissed this perspective. In parallel, Yoon held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, while Ishiba and Biden were scheduled for separate discussions with Xi during the APEC summit.
“I truly believe the cooperation of our countries will be the foundation to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific for many years to come,” Biden said at the start of the three-way meeting.
Additionally, the three nations committed to advancing collaboration with the Philippines in key areas such as ports, energy, and transportation, according to their joint statement.
The region remains uncertain about Trump’s dedication to trilateral initiatives, given his “America First” stance, skepticism of U.S. support for traditional allies, and his previous diplomatic overtures to North Korea.
“Transitions have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions, both before and after the transition from one president to a new president,” Sullivan said. “I do not think we can count on a period of quiet with the DPRK.”
13:39
Kim Jong Un Accuses US of Escalating Tensions, Warns of Nuclear War Risk
Kim Jong Un has accused the U.S. of escalating tensions, warning of a heightened risk of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. He criticized past U.S. negotiations as hostile and suggested reopening talks if the U.S. changes its approach.
10:49
Biden Eases Missile Restrictions for Ukraine Amid North Korea’s Involvement
President Biden approved Ukraine’s use of U.S. missiles deep in Russia after North Korean troops entered the war and Trump’s election win raised fears of reduced U.S. support. The move aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense and counter Russian escalations in Kursk and beyond.
09:03
Putin Warns Ukraine War Could Escalate into Global Conflict
President Putin warned the Ukraine war is escalating into a global conflict, blaming the US and UK for supplying weapons to Ukraine. He threatened further retaliation and emphasized Russia's readiness to respond to Western provocations.
08:28
China Willing to Engage in Trade Dialogue with US Amid Tariff Concerns
China is open to trade talks with the US, confident it can withstand potential tariffs. The government has introduced measures to support businesses, while the central bank aims to keep the yuan stable amid trade tensions.
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