Trump Takes More Aggressive Stance With U.S. Friends and Foes in Asia
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.
Given that South Korea is already under intense pressure from the Chinese, some analysts said
the harshness of Mr. Trump’s critique of South Korea on trade had caught them by surprise.
He said only that "other regional powers and all responsible nations" should join the United States, South Korea
and Japan in enforcing sanctions on the North Korean government.
Mr. Trump’s aides said he also planned to push ahead with his trade campaign against China — freed up by his conclusion
that China’s president, Xi Jinping, had fallen short in pressuring North Korea to curb its behavior.
By MARK LANDLERJUNE 30, 2017
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.
He also complained about Chinese steel, which he said was dumped in South Korea
and used to manufacture pipes for oil fields, which are then shipped to the United States.