Trump's Trip Was a True "Pivot" to East Asia

"Yes, showing the flag and having the President interact with counterparts is an important part of diplomacy, at the highest level. It has impact because it shows that the U.S. cares about allies and partners, that the U.S. values this relationship and will be there for allies and partners, regardless of the cost. So, Mr. Trump's visit to the region was more than tariffs and trade. It was about relationships that principally deal with national security,"

"Mr. Trump's meetings with Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, and South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung were particularly noteworthy. The U.S. and Japan signed security and economic measures - and a Memorandum of Cooperation - to expand cooperation on shipbuilding and critical-minerals supply chains, an apparent initiative to reduce reliance on China for and other critical minerals. More importantly, it established a relationship with Japan's new prime minister that will ensure we remain close allies."

"With South Korea, U.S. approval to develop nuclear-powered submarines using U.S. technology and facilities was a major U.S. decision, with South Korea joining a select few states that operate nuclear-propulsion submarines. There are a few particulars related to the fuel and safeguard agreements that will have to be addressed, but the bottom line is that South Korea, within a few years, will have nuclear-powered submarines (with conventional weapons), a major enhancement of their deterrent capabilities."

President Trump's recent regional meetings reinforced U.S. commitment to key Asian allies through visible high-level engagement and concrete agreements. The visits combined diplomatic signaling with security and economic cooperation to demonstrate U.S. resolve to support partners. The U.S. and Japan agreed on security and economic measures and a Memorandum of Cooperation to expand shipbuilding and critical-minerals supply chains, aiming to reduce reliance on China. The U.S. approved South Korea's development of nuclear-powered submarines using U.S. technology, enhancing deterrent capabilities, while South Korea committed to large U.S. energy purchases and a $350 billion trade and investment agreement.

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