How South Korea’s next president wants to deal with Trump and his tariffs
latimes.comPublished: 5/22/2025
Summary
The South Korean presidential election will be crucial as the nation confronts significant economic challenges stemming from U.S.-South Korea relations under President Trump, particularly tariffs on Chinese goods. Candidates Lee Jun-seok, who favors a cautious approach; Kim Moon-soo, advocating for swift negotiations; and Lee Young-joon, questioning Trump's trade policies—reflect distinct strategies amid this critical crisis. Lee emphasizes deliberate planning over unity with Trump, while Kim seeks an immediate summit to finalize a deal before July 8th, with Lee Jun-seok cautiously urging diplomacy amid concerns about Trump's potential bluffing.