Overview
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held her first meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung in Gyeongju and they agreed to continue reciprocal shuttle diplomacy to stabilize ties.
- Takaichi and Lee highlighted the need for tighter Japan–South Korea–U.S. coordination on North Korea, with Tokyo signaling thanks for Seoul’s support on the abductee issue.
- President Trump announced U.S. approval for South Korea to develop nuclear‑powered submarines independently, with construction planned by Hanwha Ocean at its Philadelphia shipyard.
- South Korea projects completion of the submarines in the mid‑2030s, and officials argue nuclear propulsion is needed to counter North Korea’s planned nuclear‑powered capabilities.
- Trump and Chinese President Xi met in Busan and agreed to defer China’s rare‑earth export curbs for a year, cut a fentanyl‑related tariff rate to 10%, extend a pause on parts of reciprocal tariffs, and leave Taiwan off the agenda.