NEW YORK, September 21 — Secretary of State Marco Rubio met separately with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in New York on Monday, and the three nations issued a joint statement ahead of a summit this week between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump is scheduled to host Xi at the White House in Washington on Thursday.
Officials say Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are both keen to see the US president during the UN General Assembly in New York, where all three are scheduled to speak on Tuesday.
Allies seek assurances before Washington summit
The joint statement said the US “reiterated its ironclad commitments to the defense of Japan and the ROK, backed by America’s unmatched military strength, including its nuclear capabilities, and reaffirmed its extended deterrence commitments to Japan and the ROK,” using the initials for the Republic of Korea, South Korea’s official name.
The ministers emphasized their commitment to robust security cooperation and the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and “expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations.” In an apparent reference to China, they vowed to stand firm “against economic coercion and non-market policies and practices” and “arbitrary export restrictions that disrupt supply chains.” They also welcomed the launch of a new trilateral consultation mechanism on economic security, part of broader efforts to strengthen supply chains and cooperation on critical technologies.
Referring to North Korea, the ministers “reaffirmed their resolute commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” and called on it to resume dialogue.
Concerns over possible concessions to Beijing
Analysts say the US allies are anxious that Trump may offer concessions to Xi, including over Taiwan and trade, in return for an economic win with Beijing. Beyond concerns about Taiwan, a democratically governed island China claims as its own, analysts said allies will be scrutinizing any trade announcements from the Trump-Xi summit for their impact on competitiveness relative to China; even a modest reduction in trade barriers for Beijing could erode their positions.
Takaichi angered Beijing last year by saying Tokyo could be drawn into a conflict over Taiwan, and Seoul and Washington have been negotiating details of South Korea’s $350 billion investment package in the United States under a trade deal struck by the allies last year. On Monday, a South Korean opposition lawmaker called for parliamentary scrutiny of the investment package, warning that negotiations over energy projects could leave South Korea carrying disproportionate financial risks.
The reporting is by Simon Lewis and David Brunnstrom, dated NEW YORK, Sept 21.
