Seoul, June 7, 2025 (Epoch Times) – South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Trump held their first phone call just two days after Lee’s inauguration, agreeing on a “mutually satisfactory” deal on US import tariffs.
During the 20-minute call on Friday, Trump congratulated Lee on his election win. Lee expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of the US-South Korea alliance, stating that it remains the cornerstone of Seoul’s foreign policy.
A spokesperson for the South Korean president said that “both leaders agreed to work towards a mutually satisfactory agreement on the South Korea-US tariff negotiations as soon as possible… They also agreed to push for concrete results in working-level discussions.”
The Presidential Office stated that during the call, Trump invited Lee to visit the United States, to which Lee responded by expressing his hope for regular consultations between the two allied countries. Both Trump and Lee agreed to hold a meeting as soon as possible, whether on the sidelines of multilateral forums or through visits, to deepen discussions between the two nations.
The upcoming G7 Summit in Canada (June 15-17) and the NATO Summit in the Netherlands (June 24-25) are potential venues for their first meeting.
During the call, Trump and Lee also shared personal anecdotes from their election campaigns, including facing political challenges and assassination attempts. They also agreed to play a round of golf together when they have the chance.
The atmosphere of the call was described as “relaxed and friendly” by the spokesperson, seen as a positive start that will facilitate discussions on issues between the two countries. This exchange also enhanced trust and a good relationship between the two leaders, laying a foundation for future cooperation.
Analysts from the South Korean news agency noted that the first call between Trump and Lee signals the restart of high-level diplomatic interactions between the US and South Korea after a six-month hiatus. The two countries are currently facing a range of critical issues that need attention, including the US tariffs on South Korean goods and the ongoing military threat from North Korea.
The temporary suspension of the “tit-for-tat” tariffs announced by Trump is set to end on July 8, and Lee will need to reach an agreement with the US before then. In April of this year, the US government imposed a 25% tariff on South Korean goods, followed by a three-month suspension for negotiations to take place.