President Trump with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea on Friday at the White House. Credit Pete Marovich for The New York Times
New York Times: Trump Takes More Aggressive Stance With U.S. Friends and Foes in Asia
WASHINGTON — President Trump hardened his treatment of allies and adversaries in Asia this week, pressing South Korea’s visiting leader to overhaul a landmark trade agreement with the United States a day after announcing a series of steps that angered China.
Meeting on Friday with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, Mr. Trump demanded more access to Korean markets for American cars and less of what he called “dumped” Korean steel in the United States — all part of an overhaul of the five-year-old free trade agreement with South Korea that he derided as “not exactly a great deal.”
“Very important steps,” a stern Mr. Trump said in the White House Rose Garden, standing next to Mr. Moon. “They have to be made. Not fair to the American worker if they are not. And they will be.”
The president reaffirmed the American security alliance with South Korea against the threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea. But he showed little patience for Mr. Moon’s hope for engagement with the North — something analysts said could be a future source of friction between the leaders.
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WNU Editor: Just one point of disagreement with the above New York Times post. President Trump has adopted a more aggressive stance with many countries in Asia (friend and foe) .... but President Trump has not adopted that stance with the two largest U.S. allies in the region .... Japan and India .... and that in itself is very telling.
