Rubio Meets Japanese and South Korean Counterparts Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

Reuters

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio poses for a photo with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea in New York on Monday, ahead of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.

Officials say both Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are keen ⁠to see the US president during the UN General Assembly in New York, where all three are scheduled to speak on Tuesday.

Trump hosts Xi at the White House in Washington on Thursday.

In addition to concerns about Taiwan, allies will be scrutinising any trade announcements from the summit for their impact on competitiveness relative to China, analysts said. Even a modest reduction in trade barriers for Beijing could erode their positions.

Rubio and his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun and ‌Japan's ⁠Toshimitsu Motegi posed for photos but did not take questions from reporters before their meeting at a New York hotel.

South Korea says Lee is seeking a meeting with Trump during the UN gathering, which comes as Seoul and Washington negotiate 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.

Takaichi, who angered Beijing last year by saying Tokyo ⁠could be drawn into a conflict over Taiwan, has also been trying to get Trump's ear ahead of his meeting with Xi, Japanese government sources say.

Source: Reuters



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