US reaffirms defence pledges to Japan, South Korea ahead of Trump-Xi talks
US, Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers issue a joint statement backing Taiwan and reaffirming defence commitments before the Trump-Xi summit.
The United States restated its defence commitments to Japan and South Korea on Monday, as the three countries jointly voiced support for Taiwan just days before President Donald Trump is due to host Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in New York, where all three are attending the UN General Assembly. In a joint statement issued after the talks, Washington described its commitments to the defence of Japan and South Korea as "ironclad," citing its military strength, including nuclear capabilities, and reaffirming extended deterrence for both allies.
The ministers also pledged to stand firm against economic coercion, non-market policies and arbitrary export restrictions that disrupt supply chains, language that appeared aimed at Beijing. They welcomed the creation of a new trilateral consultation mechanism on economic security, part of wider efforts to strengthen supply chains and cooperate on critical technologies.
The statement underlined the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and expressed support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in appropriate international organisations. On North Korea, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and urged it to return to dialogue.
Analysts say the US allies are uneasy that Trump could offer concessions to Xi on Taiwan or trade in exchange for an economic win with Beijing during Thursday's summit. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are both keen to meet the US president on the sidelines of the General Assembly, where all three leaders are scheduled to speak on Tuesday.
Beyond Taiwan, allies are expected to scrutinise any trade announcements from the summit for their effect on competitiveness relative to China, since even a modest easing of barriers for Beijing could erode their positions. Takaichi drew Beijing's anger last year by saying Tokyo could be drawn into a conflict over Taiwan, while Seoul and Washington have been negotiating the details of South Korea's $350 billion investment package in the United States under a trade deal agreed last year. On Monday, a South Korean opposition lawmaker called for parliamentary scrutiny of that package, warning that talks over energy projects could leave Seoul bearing disproportionate financial risks.