Güney Kore Cumhurbaşkanı
- Ekonomik02 Tem
Samsung, SK hynix to build HBM packaging fabs in Chungcheong region as part of W392tr in total investment
An industrywide 392 trillion-won ($252.5 billion) investment will be injected into the central Chungcheong area, including high bandwidth memory fabs and packaging facilities by Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix, as part of the government's drive to spread artificial intelligence-led growth, the industry ministry said Thursday. It is a follow-up plan to the government's tripolar mega projects, unveiled by President Lee Jae Myung earlier this week, aimed at advancing technologies across the co
How South Korea’s AI megaprojects aim to ‘maintain edge’ over China, meet demand
South Korea’s US$518 billion semiconductor push aims to tap the artificial intelligence boom into a durable industrial advantage and keep up with leading rival China, according to observers. The plan is intended to secure supplies of advanced memory chips needed for AI data centres and computing infrastructure, while easing pressure on the Seoul metropolitan area by creating a second major chipmaking base in the country’s southwest. President Lee Jae Myung on Monday unveiled the government’s...
Güney Kore, Kuzey Kore tehdidine karşı kişisel drone atağı başlatıyorSouth Korea unveils $576B AI-chip drive to cement global leadership
South Korea on Monday unveiled a broad industrial strategy focused on semiconductors and artificial intelligence, with President Lee Jae Myung announcing more than $576 billion in...
South Korea unveils US$650 billion megaprojects to dominate global AI, chip market
South Korea rolled out sweeping chip and AI megaprojects on Monday, as President Lee Jae Myung pledged to cement overwhelming industry leadership with investments spanning hundreds of billions of dollars over several years. The announcement marks Lee’s boldest push yet to align South Korea’s AI and chip ambitions with his pledge to narrow regional disparities and revive economies beyond the Seoul metropolitan area. Lee was joined by the leaders of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the world’s...
Eski First Lady'e rüşvetten hapis cezası
Güney Kore'de Seul Merkez Bölge Mahkemesi, eski First Lady Kim Keon-hee'yi siyasi ayrıcalıklar karşılığında lüks hediyeler kabul ettiği gerekçesiyle yedi yıl hapis cezasına çarptırdı. Güney Kore'de Seul Merkez Bölge Mahkemesi, eski First Lady Kim Keon-hee'yi, siyasi ayrıcalıklar karşılığında mücevher ve Dior marka çanta gibi lüks eşyaları rüşvet olarak kabul ettiği gerekçesiyle bugün görülen duruşmada yedi yıl hapis cezasına çarptırdı. Başyargıç, 2024 yılındaki başarısız sıkıyönetim ilan etme girişiminin ardından 2025'te görevden azledilen eski Cumhurbaşkanı Yoon Suk-yeol'ün eşi olan Kim'in, bu rüşvetleri eşinin cumhurbaşkanlığı dönemi öncesinde ve sırasında aldığını belirtti. Kararı açıklayan başyargıç, "Kim Keon-hee, kamu görevlerine ve parlamento pozisyonlarına gelinmesine yardımcı olmak için nüfuzunu kullanmaya istekli davranarak, first lady olarak sahip olduğu gücü iş ve ticari ayrıcalıklar sağlamak amacıyla kullanmıştır" ifadelerini kullandı. Başyargıç ayrıca, "Sıradan insanların yaşamları boyunca neredeyse hiç karşılaşamayacağı bu rüşvetleri hiçbir tereddüt göstermeden kabul etmiştir" dedi. Mahkeme kayıtlarına göre rüşvet olarak verilen eşyalar arasında Van Cleef & Arpels marka kolye, Tiffany marka broş ve Graff marka bir çift küpe gibi değerli mücevherler yer alıyor. Başyargıç, Kim'e ayrıca bir altın kaplumbağa, bir Dior el çantası, 39 milyon won (yaklaşık 25 bin 349,86 dolar) değerinde Vacheron Constantin marka saat ve 140 milyon won değerinde bir tablo verildiğini aktardı. Eski first lady'nin eylemlerinin kamu atamalarının tarafsızlığına yönelik halkın güvenini ciddi şekilde zedelediğini vurgulayan başyargıç, rüşvet veren tarafları da detaylandırdı. Kararda, rüşvet verenler arasında damadı için hükümet pozisyonu arayan bir inşaat şirketi sahibi, üst düzey yetkililerle ilişkilerini genişletmek isteyen bir rahip, özel bir üniversitenin eski rektörü ve cumhurbaşkanlığı güvenlik ekibine ürün tedarik etmek isteyen bir robotik köpek perakendecisi şirketinin yöneticisi olduğu bilgisi yer aldı. Seul Merkez Bölge Mahkemesi, hapis cezasının yanı sıra Kim Keon-hee'ye 64,8 milyon won para cezası verdi ve rüşvet olarak verilen eşyaların bulunması halinde müsadere edilmesine hükmetti. Kim Keon-hee hakkındaki tüm suçlamaları reddetti. Güney Kore merkezli Yonhap haber ajansının aktardığına göre, Kim'in avukatı gazetecilere yaptığı açıklamada, hakimi müvekkili aleyhindeki kanıtları abartmakla suçlayarak karara itiraz edeceklerini ve temyize gideceklerini bildirdi. Eski first lady, hisse senedi manipülasyonu ve Güney Kore Birleşme Kilisesi'nden rüşvet almak suçlamalarından suçlu bulunarak nisan ayında çarptırıldığı dört yıllık hapis cezası nedeniyle halihazırda cezaevinde. Kim'in eşi eski Cumhurbaşkanı Yoon Suk-yeol ise 2024 yılındaki kısa süreli sıkıyönetim uygulamasıyla bağlantılı olarak bir ayaklanmayı planlamak suçundan şubat ayında ömür boyu hapis cezasına çarptırılmıştı. MİLYAR DOLARLIK BOŞANMA DAVASINDA YARGILAMA SÜRECİ YENİDEN BAŞLADI Öte yandan Güney Kore'de bir temyiz mahkemesi, SK Group Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Chey Tae-won ile eski bir devlet başkanının kızı olan Roh Soh-yeong arasındaki boşanma davasını yeniden görmeye başladı. Yapay zeka çiplerine yönelik talep patlaması nedeniyle artan servetlerin mercek altına alındığı bir dönemde, ülkenin gündemini meşgul eden bu hukuki uyuşmazlık yeniden açılmış oldu. Tarafların katılma zorunluluğunun bulunmadığı Seul Yüksek Mahkemesindeki duruşma cuma günü başladı. Yargılama süreci, Yüksek Mahkemenin Roh Soh-yeong'a verilmesine hükmedilen rekor seviyedeki tazminat kararını kısmen bozmasının ardından yapılan arabuluculuk görüşmelerinin başarısızlıkla sonuçlanması üzerine yeniden başlatıldı. Dava konusu meblağların büyüklüğü, Samsung Group'un ardından ülkenin en büyük ikinci holdingi olan SK Group'un ortaklık yapısı üzerindeki olası etkileri ve başkanın siyasi nüfuza sahip eşinin geçmişi nedeniyle kamuoyunda büyük yankı uyandırıyor. Mahkemenin, Chey Tae-won'un çatı şirket SK Inc bünyesindeki hisselerinin evlilik birliği içinde edinilmiş ortak mal varlığı sayılıp sayılmayacağını yeniden değerlendirecek olması, davanın holdingin kontrolü üzerindeki etkisini artırıyor. SK bünyesindeki şirketlerin hisse değerleri, grup bünyesindeki çip üreticisi SK Hynix'in yapay zeka hizmetlerine yönelik talep artışıyla birlikte ABD'li çip üreticisi Nvidia'nın ana tedarikçilerinden biri haline gelmesiyle yükseldi. Perşembe günkü borsa kapanışı itibarıyla, SK Hynix hisseleri yılbaşından bu yana dört kattan fazla değer kazanırken, SK Inc hisselerinin değeri de üç kattan fazla artış gösterdi. Yüksek Mahkeme ekim ayında, 2 milyar won değerindeki nafaka kararını onaylamış ancak mal paylaşımı yönünden davayı Seul Yüksek Mahkemesine geri göndermişti. Kararda, Roh Soh-yeong'un, eski cumhurbaşkanı olan babası Roh Tae-woo tarafından sağlanan ve "görevdeyken rüşvet yoluyla biriktirilmiş olması muhtemel" fonlara dayanarak ortak varlıklarda hak iddia edemeyeceğine hükmedilmişti. 1988-1993 yılları arasında devlet başkanlığı yapan Roh Tae-woo, rüşvet almaktan hüküm giymiş ve bu karar 1997 yılında kesinleşmişti. Seul Yüksek Mahkemesi daha önceki kararında Chey Tae-won'un Roh Soh-yeong'a 1,38 trilyon won (yaklaşık 891 milyon dolar) ödemesine hükmetmişti. İlk derece mahkemesi ise mal paylaşımı kapsamında 66,5 milyar won ödenmesini kararlaştırmıştı. GÜNEY KORE SİYASETİNDE SULAR İKİ YILDIR DURULMUYOR Güney Kore siyasetini sarsan süreç, dönemin Devlet Başkanı Yoon Suk-yeol'ün 3 Aralık 2024'te, muhalefetin devlet karşıtı faaliyetlerde bulunduğunu öne sürerek sıkıyönetim ilan etmesiyle başladı. Ulusal Meclisin sıkıyönetim kararını kaldıran bir oylama yapması üzerine Yoon geri adım atmak zorunda kalmıştı. Bu gelişmenin ardından Ulusal Meclis, 14 Aralık 2024'te yaptığı oylama ile Yoon Suk-yeol'ün azlini talep etti ve cumhurbaşkanını geçici olarak görevden uzaklaştırdı. Anayasa Mahkemesi de 4 Nisan 2025'te meclisin azil talebini haklı bularak Yoon'un görevden alınmasını resmen onayladı. Görevden azledilme sürecinin tamamlanmasının ardından ülkede düzenlenen cumhurbaşkanlığı seçimlerini, ana muhalefetteki Demokratik Partinin adayı Lee Jae-myung kazandı. Lee, 4 Haziran 2025'te parlamentoda yemin ederek resmi olarak cumhurbaşkanlığı görevine başladı.
Lee sets 2030 goal to build Korean security-tech giants to match Palantir
President Lee Jae Myung on Friday unveiled an ambitious plan to build South Korea's own generation of security-technology champions, seeking to cultivate companies capable of matching industry leaders such as Palantir. Lee set a goal of creating five companies valued at more than 1 trillion won ($650 million) and 50 firms with annual sales exceeding 100 billion won by 2030. Lee announced the initiative while chairing a strategy meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, where officials outlined plans to
Can South Korea move from G7 guest to member?
President Lee Jae Myung’s appearance at this year’s Group of Seven summit has revived a longstanding question in South Korean diplomacy: Can the country move beyond being a guest and become part of an expanded G7 framework? Lee returned from Europe on Thursday after attending the summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, as an invited leader, holding talks with major counterparts and meeting US President Donald Trump. The trip showed how far South Korea’s diplomatic profile has risen, but also made cle
Lee calls inflation top policy priority, urges 'extraordinary' measures to stabilize prices
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday inflation is the government's most urgent policy challenge and urged officials to devise extraordinary measures to stabilize prices and ease the burden on households. Lee made the call during a meeting with senior presidential aides, noting it will take a long time before global energy supply chains return to normal and the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened despite a ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the monthslong war in the M
Lee highlights US role in breaking North Korea deadlock
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday he told US President Donald Trump that Washington needs to play a central role in reviving diplomacy with North Korea. Stressing the need to first freeze Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development, he explained that leaving the current deadlock unresolved would only allow the North to advance its weapons programs, making future talks more difficult. Lee made the remarks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, a day after returning from his 10-day t
South Korea’s Lee says Trump open to considering phased approach to North Korea nuclear issue
SEOUL, June 19 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump had agreed to consider his proposal to prioritise halting North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes in the short term, while keeping denuclearisation as a longer-term objective.
Trump expressed regret for not resolving NK nuke issue sooner: Lee
US President Donald Trump expressed regret for not taking steps before North Korea became effectively a nuclear-armed state, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Friday. “(Trump said) it is regrettable that measures were not taken before North Korea effectively possessed nuclear weapons,” Lee said during a briefing on his trip to Europe. Lee and Trump met during the gala dinner for the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. According to Lee, Trump also told him that he had posted the photogr
(LEAD) Lee says told Trump cannot deal with N. Korean nuclear issue the same way as others
SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Friday he told U.S. Pres...
Lee Jae-myung Caps First European Tour with G7 Appearance
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made Korean Peninsula peace a central theme of his first trip to Europe.
South Korea’s president calls for global AI partnerships at G7 summit
Lee Jae Myung joins leaders at G7 Summit in France
G7 Zirvesi'nde İran İhtilafının Çözümü Umutları Yeşerirken Lee Liderlerle BuluştuSouth Korea Seeks Trump’s Help on North Korean Nuclear Issue
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung sought US President Donald Trump’s help in engaging with North Korea to resolve issues related to its nuclear program, in a brief exchange on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France on Tuesday, Lee’s office said.
Lee says ties with Canada advancing quickly in mutually beneficial manner
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, saying bilateral ties are advancing briskly in a mutually beneficial manner. The meeting came on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, which Lee is attending for the second consecutive year as the head of an invited country. The two leaders met ahead of Canada's expected selection of a preferred bidder for its submarine acquisition project, worth 60 trillion-won ($39.8 bill
Lee to meet G7 leaders as hopes grow for end to Iran conflict
President Lee Jae Myung began the final leg of his trip to Europe on Tuesday, arriving in Evian-les-Bains, France for the Group of Seven Summit held just as the anticipation grows for an end to the war in the Middle East. Lee's trip there from Tuesday to Wednesday comes as South Korea seeks to expand its role on the international stage and amid rising speculation about US President Donald Trump's intentions regarding North Korea. Lee will kick off his official activities at the G7 meeting upon h
G7 Zirvesi'nde İran İhtilafının Çözümü Umutları Yeşerirken Lee Liderlerle BuluştuLee set to attend G7 summit in Evian to discuss global challenges
ROME, June 16 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung was set to attend a Group of S...
Lee received by pope at Vatican
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, on the second leg of his Europe visit. He was scheduled to depart for France later in the day, where he will attend the G7 meeting. After his audience with the pope, Lee was to subsequently meet Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Lee held his first talks with the pope since his inauguration in June 2025. The last meeting between a South Korean president and the pope was when President Moon Jae-in met later P
South Korea Could Build Nuclear Submarines, But It Shouldn’t
In late May 2026, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back unveiled a roadmap to achieving one of Seoul’s top military acquisition goals: nuclear-powered submarines. This roadmap is heading in the wrong direction.During last month’s inaugural meeting of the Future Defense Strategy Committee, South Korea published its Basic Plan for the Development of Nuclear-Powered Submarines. Chaired by President Lee Jae Myung, the committee was formed to help South Korea build robust, self-reliant defense capabilities. During the event, Lee’s opening remarks underscored the symbolic significance of the nuclear submarine capability and stressed the program’s role in “strengthening the Republic of Korea’s defense The post South Korea Could Build Nuclear Submarines, But It Shouldn’t appeared first on War on the Rocks.
Güney Kore ve AB: Kuzey Kore Asla Nükleer Devlet SayılmayacakLee kicks off Vatican visit, poised to meet Pope Leo XIV
President Lee Jae Myung is to meet Pope Leo XIV on Monday, as his European trip hits its halfway point. On Sunday, Lee attended a special Mass for peace and solidarity the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. He also delivered a speech in the Vatican, the landlocked city-state surrounded by Rome, highlighting South Korea’s commitment to global peace and Vatican City’s role in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula. The next day, Lee was to hold talks with Pope Leo XIV for the first
Güney Kore ulusal savunmada "ABD'ye geleneksel bağımlılığın" artık geçerli olmadığına inanıyor
Güney Kore Devlet Başkanı Lee Jae Myung, ulusal savunma konusunda ülkesinin "ABD'ye geleneksel bağımlılığının" artık geçerli olmadığına inandığını ve "kendi kendine yetebilen bir savunma ortağı" olmayı hedefleyeceklerini bildirdi.
Lee wraps up trip to Brussels after meeting with EU leaders
South Korea and the European Union are to seek deeper economic ties and implement measures that will facilitate closer cooperation in areas including trade and information sharing. The developments came as President Lee Jae Myung wrapped up his trip to Brusselsss on Wednesday, as he held talks with leaders of the European Union's leading figures, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Lee became the first president to have visited Brussel
EU and Republic of Korea bolster strategic partnership with new areas of cooperation
European Commission Press release Brussels, 10 Jun 2026 The European Union and the Republic of Korea held their 11th Summit in Brussels today. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, met with the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-Myung.
S. Korean, EU leaders condemn illegal military cooperation between N. Korea, Russia
BRUSSELS, June 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and leaders o...
Summit meetings with Belgium, EU kick off Lee's Europe tour
President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday kicked off the official itinerary of his trip to Europe, meeting Koreans living in Belgium, with back-to-back summit meetings with the leaders of Belgium and the European Union set for later in the day. Lee is seeking to expand cooperation on trade, supply chains and security on his 10-day European tour, ahead of the G7 summit in France. Lee began his trip in Brussels on Tuesday, where he and first lady Kim Hea Kyung were formally received by Belgian official
Seoul, IAEA begin expert talks on nuclear submarine safeguards
South Korea and the International Atomic Energy Agency have begun expert-level discussions on a special safeguards arrangement for Seoul’s nuclear-powered submarine project, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Monday. Seoul’s consultations with the agency became publicly visible in March, as South Korea moved to develop nuclear-powered submarines following last year’s summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. “We are in the kickoff phase of that process, which is a highly t
Lee embarks on Europe tour with G7 summit, economic diplomacy in focus
President Lee Jae Myung departed for Europe on Tuesday for a 10-day diplomatic tour, with stops in Belgium, Italy and the Vatican before joining world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in France. South Korea and the European Union are seeking closer coordination on shared security challenges, including North Korea's deepening military cooperation with Russia, growing concerns over supply chain resilience and critical minerals, and mounting uncertainty stemming from geopolitical conflicts in t
South Korea tells Japan to apologise before military cooperation
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ruled out expanding military ties with Japan any time soon, insisting that historical grievances must be resolved first. The two countries have come under growing pressure to strengthen defence ties as North Korea, China and Russia draw closer together. But analysts say such a move remains politically risky for Lee’s government given deep-seated public resentment in South Korea towards Japan. To explain why his country could not yet embrace military...
South Korea should not give up on North’s denuclearisation, says president
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says the country should set 'limited short-term goals' on denuclearisation talks with Pyongyang.
South Korea names first woman PM in 20 years
Han Seong-sook SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han Seong-sook to be his next prime minister on Sunday, making her only the second woman to hold the post if confirmed by parliament. Han currently serves as minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Startups. The nomination comes after Lee’s party dominated local elections on Wednesday, although the Democratic Party lost the high-profile Seoul mayoral race to the opposition. The elections also sparked controversy over ballot shortages that affected 50 polling stations nationwide, prompting the head of the state election watchdog to resign. Lee has “judged nominee Han to be the right person to take responsibility for growth and people’s livelihoods at a time when the country faces a major strategic transition driven by AI innovation and complex global crises”, Lee’s chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik told reporters at a news conference. Han’s nomination requires parliamentary approval, but is expected to be confirmed as the ruling party holds a majority in the 300-member National Assembly, barring any major ethical concerns or scandals. If confirmed, the 58-year-old will become only the second woman to serve as prime minister. The first was Han Myeong-sook, who held the post from 2006 to 2007. Outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is widely expected to run for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party. Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026
South Korea, US agree to accelerate nuclear cooperation discussions
South Korea and the United States have agreed to accelerate talks, following the first working-level consultations this week on plans for Seoul's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. According to Seoul's Foreign Ministry on Friday, the two countries held a two-day meeting in Seoul this week to launch follow-up discussions on nuclear cooperation outlined in a joint fact sheet released after last year's summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. The consultations b
Lee to visit Europe from June 9-18, attend G7 summit in France's Evian
President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Europe this month to take part in the Group of Seven summit in France, a senior presidential official said Friday. Lee's trip will last from Tuesday to June 18 and include visits to Belgium, Italy and the Vatican, according to National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. Lee's attendance at the G7 summit, set for June 15-17, comes at the invitation of the grouping, Wi told a press briefing. (Yonhap)
Lee heads to Europe for EU and G7 summits, meeting Pope Leo
President Lee Jae Myung heads to Europe next week for a 10-day trip aimed at putting Seoul’s European diplomacy into full swing and strengthening its standing as a “global responsible power” seeking a broader role with the G7. Lee will visit Belgium, the European Union, Italy and the Vatican from June 9-18 before attending the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday during a press briefing. Lee’s final stop will be the G7 summit on June 16-17, wh
Lee Jae Myung, G7 Zirvesi ve Papa Leo ile Görüşmek Üzere Avrupa'ya GidiyorPresident Lee calls joint Korean War remains repatriation 'testament' to S. Korea-U.S. alliance
President Lee Jae Myung on Friday called joint efforts by South Korea and the United States to recover and return the remains of troops killed during the 1950-53 Korean War the "most powerful testament" to the alliance. Lee made the remarks during a joint repatriation ceremony for the return of the remains of 10 fallen South Korean service members from Hawaii to Korea and the repatriation of those of three U.S. soldiers back home. "Today's repatriation marks a meaningful milestone that further d
South Koreans protest over ballot mishap, demand local election rerun
SEOUL, South Korea — Thousands of South Koreans were demanding a rerun of local elections as they protested into the wee hours of Sunday over ballot paper shortages that disrupted this week’s vote. Wednesday’s election was the first nationwide vote since President Lee Jae Myung took office following conservative Yoon Suk Yeol’s ouster over his
Trump’s treatment of US allies has weakened his negotiating position with Xi
Trump’s treatment of US allies has weakened his negotiating position with Xi Expert comment jon.wallace 12 May 2026 The president has alienated partners that once acted as force multipliers. But there are still opportunities to create a united front on common points of tension with Beijing. President Donald Trump travels to Beijing this week with the US’s alliance structure under enormous strain. Washington has fewer partners at its side, and a weaker hand to play. It doesn’t have to be this way. Alone, the US has leverage against Beijing, through controlling access to its advanced chips, sanctions on Chinese purchases of Iranian oil, and a consumer market Beijing can’t ignore. But Washington’s allies and partners provided strength that China has struggled to compete with – acting as force multipliers, aligning with the US on shared vulnerabilities. The Trump administration’s dismissal of such countries has created justified resentment. Many of America’s closest partners, buffeted by threats to NATO and tariffs, have concluded that US commitment may be a relic of the past. That is leading them to forge independent approaches to China, beginning with commercial ties. Beijing today benefits from greater economic connectivity with US partners and allies, fewer multilateral structures to bind its behaviour, and little political will on either side of the Atlantic to advance common projects. Yes, allied cohesion on China has always been aspirational, limited by different risk perceptions and economic pressures. But US and allied approaches have increasingly diverged since January 2025. And the current situation weakens the US negotiating position, even on President Trump’s ‘America First’ terms. Greater alignment by the US with its traditional partners on China policy – covering issues like critical minerals, semiconductors, synthetic drugs and beyond – is still possible and of benefit to both Washington and allied capitals. It shouldn’t be cast aside. Beijing cashes in Today, the floor has fallen out of the US alliance structure, as relations with partners and allies has deteriorated. While the US spent the winter focused on Venezuela, Greenland and Iran, Beijing focused on commercial diplomacy. The US has retreated from multilateral organizations, questioned the role of NATO, divided the G7 over tariffs, further hollowed out the WTO, launched UN-alternative structures like the Board of Peace, and gone to war with Iran. This has pushed allies to chart independent paths, leaving China to take advantage. While the US spent the winter focused on Venezuela, Greenland and Iran, Beijing focused on commercial diplomacy. In January, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced a ‘full scale restoration of ties’ between Seoul and Beijing, backed by new agreements on economic and trade cooperation, science and technology and the digital economy. Two weeks later, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a comprehensive ‘strategic partnership’ with Beijing covering energy, agriculture, and Chinese electric vehicles, amounting to CAD$3 billion in new export orders for Canada. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s subsequent visit netted £2.2 billion in export deals and around £2.3 billion in market access. In February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, though citing ‘difficult issues’ in trade relations, agreed to strengthen Germany’s ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ with Beijing through 17 bilateral cooperation agreements. Trump will also seek bilateral deals – on products like American soybeans and Boeing aircraft, on top of the NVIDIA chips he recently approved for sale to China, despite national security concerns. Benefits are therefore rapidly accruing to Beijing. If the US and its traditional allies cannot develop a collective bargaining strategy, grouping their economies along similar red lines, China will only extend its run. DC’s demolition derby lays a few floorboards The floor of the US alliance structure cannot be rebuilt overnight, and its foundations were always imperfect. But two significant agreements indicate the Trump administration has realized that – in discrete instances – Trump’s ‘I alone can fix it’ instincts don’t work. Pax Silica, launched by the US in December 2025, aims to shore up silicon supply chains for semiconductor manufacturing and AI development. With 14 partners and counting, the initiative sees ‘allies and trusted partners’ like Australia, Finland, Greece, Japan, Norway, South Korea, and the UK align to reduce dependency on critical technology from China. Its viability will take time to evaluate, but this novel grouping addresses a common concern, and will only become more effective as it expands. Meanwhile, to break dependencies on China’s critical minerals, the US launched the new Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE), alongside co-chair Japan. They and 52 other partners now belong to a preferential trade-and-investment zone for critical minerals, guaranteeing price floors. Like Pax Silica, it’s still early days. And shifting White House attention risks limiting full implementation. But both are encouraging datapoints that the Trump administration is slowly realizing that American unilateralism undercuts American power in certain instances. New constructions, with or without a foreman Washington, European capitals, and Indo-Pacific allies should build on such initiatives, identifying areas where working with allies is clearly to the advantage of all. This can take a few forms. First, groupings like Pax Silica and FORGE should be bolstered by renewed efforts to bring in new country signatories and investments. Strengthening these groups will both improve members’ hands with Xi and promise material benefits to all its participants. — Laurel Rapp and Max Yoeli discuss the coming summit from the US perspective. Establishing or reviving other groupings, for instance on synthetic drug interdiction, is another obvious area for close US cooperation with allies. Fentanyl is a continuing source of American overdose deaths, with the US claiming that many of the chemicals used in its production originate in China. But the Trump administration chose not to extend US leadership of a nearly 160 country coalition to counter production and distribution of illicit substances. Revitalizing this network should be a priority. Both Biden and Trump hammered Xi on fentanyl, and US overdose deaths have fallen since 2023, possibly due in part to US diplomacy. But without a wider grouping of concerned partners, success may be limited or short-lived. It is also crucial that trade talks by the US, Canada and Mexico starting in July are a success and deliver real constraints on China’s investments in North American manufacturing. Allowing internal divisions to prevent a protective arrangement would be an own goal and play into China’s strategy. Rebuilding without Washington Finally, US allies and partners must identify shared red lines for bilateral cooperation with China that will be upheld independent of Washington. Most countries have national China strategies, and all have identified red lines for bilateral cooperation. But internal limits are not the same as a shared approach. The logic of greater allied alignment remains sound even where US commitment is uncertain. If allies can establish common approaches on China policy in other areas, it may manage Washington’s frustration with their hedging. And finding agreement may also prove useful for the future: the US may become more cooperative on some issues after President Trump leaves office. And the US’s structural rivalry with China looks likely to endure through successive administrations for some time to come.
Trump’s treatment of US allies has weakened his negotiating position with Xi