U.S. PresidentJoe Biden met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday at the APEC Summit in Peru. The leaders sought to solidify diplomatic progress amid rising tensions in Asia and potential shifts in alliances under a Trump administration.
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.”
Denmark’s Arctic chief has dismissed concerns over a U.S. takeover of Greenland but says more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the strategically vital Arctic island.
The U.S. Supreme Court could decide on Friday whether to allow enforcement of Donald Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship, a move that would end automatic citizenship for many children born on American soil.
Nike plans to reduce its reliance on China for U.S.-bound products to offset the financial blow from President Donald Trump’s new tariffs, as the sportswear giant posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and a milder revenue forecast.
Nike is stepping back from China-based production for its U.S. market to dodge tariff-related costs, aiming to shift its sourcing strategy by 2026.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 27th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least nine people, including children and their rescuers, died after sudden floodwaters swept through a river in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, turning a family picnic into tragedy.
North Korea plans to attract Russian tourists after opening its long-delayed Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort to domestic travellers in July, amid deepening ties with Moscow.
Denmark’s Arctic chief has dismissed concerns over a U.S. takeover of Greenland but says more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the strategically vital Arctic island.
With the tariff deadline fast approaching, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for a swift and straightforward trade agreement between the EU and the U.S., as both sides continue talks to avoid a potential economic standoff.
The European Commission has warned Meta that it may face daily fines starting 27 June if its modified pay-or-consent advertising model fails to meet EU antitrust requirements under the Digital Markets Act.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, marking direct American involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
The United States and China have resolved disputes over rare earth mineral and magnet shipments, overcoming a key hurdle that had delayed a trade agreement reached in May.
The Kremlin has voiced strong concern over Estonia’s readiness to host NATO’s nuclear-capable F-35A jets, calling the move an immediate danger to Russia.
At least nine people, including children and their rescuers, died after sudden floodwaters swept through a river in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, turning a family picnic into tragedy.
North Korea plans to attract Russian tourists after opening its long-delayed Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort to domestic travellers in July, amid deepening ties with Moscow.
Denmark’s Arctic chief has dismissed concerns over a U.S. takeover of Greenland but says more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the strategically vital Arctic island.
At least nine people, including children and their rescuers, died after sudden floodwaters swept through a river in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, turning a family picnic into tragedy.
North Korea plans to attract Russian tourists after opening its long-delayed Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort to domestic travellers in July, amid deepening ties with Moscow.
Denmark’s Arctic chief has dismissed concerns over a U.S. takeover of Greenland but says more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the strategically vital Arctic island.
With the tariff deadline fast approaching, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for a swift and straightforward trade agreement between the EU and the U.S., as both sides continue talks to avoid a potential economic standoff.
The European Commission has warned Meta that it may face daily fines starting 27 June if its modified pay-or-consent advertising model fails to meet EU antitrust requirements under the Digital Markets Act.
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