South Korea, Japan Push Back on Trump’s Billion-Dollar Investment Demands

South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac dismissed former President Trump's $350 billion investment demand as "objectively and realistically" unfeasible during a Channel A News interview. The statement follows Trump's characterization of commitments from Seoul and Tokyo as upfront payments, despite both nations treating them as long-term trade incentives.

July's US-South Korea agreement tied tariff reductions to the $350 billion investment—a sum representing over 80% of Seoul's foreign reserves. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok warned Bloomberg that executing the deal without a currency swap could destabilize the economy. Meanwhile, Japan's $550 billion pledge faces similar skepticism, with ruling party contender Sanae Takaichi signaling reservations about implementation.