(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on April 11)

Need for balanced deal
S. Korea, US need to make win-win outcomes in trade talks

U.S. President Donald Trump has fortunately paused his reciprocal tariffs on most countries including Korea for 90 days. But this issue and many others still remain. His recent phone call with Korea's acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo reignited long-standing debates around cost-sharing and trade within the Korea-U.S. alliance. During the conversation, Trump raised the need to increase Korea's defense cost contributions while also broaching topics such as Korea's trade surplus with the U.S., liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases, shipbuilding and energy cooperation initiatives like the Alaska gas pipeline. He later described this approach as a "beautiful and efficient" example of "one-stop shopping."

While Trump's remarks reflect his well-known transactional diplomacy style, they also serve as a timely reminder that Korea must be prepared for a return to more hard-nosed negotiations. These remarks shed light on the broader challenge Korea faces in balancing its strategic partnership with the U.S. while safeguarding its economic interests.

On the surface, bundling security and economic issues into a single negotiation package might appear to be an efficient strategy. However, this approach can easily blur the lines between mutually beneficial cooperation and unilateral pressure. Trump's insistence that Korea should pay more for the U.S. military presence — coupled with the implication that trade imbalances justify additional demands — poses a risk to the very foundations of the alliance: shared values, mutual respect and strategic trust. To dismiss existing agreements, such as the 2021 defense cost-sharing deal, as mere bureaucratic formalities undermines not only the credibility of previous negotiations but also the predictability of future relations.

In this context, Korea must avoid reacting defensively and instead engage proactively with a clear strategic vision. Trump's proposed "package deal" presents both challenges and opportunities. Korea is a key player in several industries critical to the U.S., including shipbuilding, clean energy technologies, semiconductors and LNG processing. If the United States wishes to expand its energy exports or enhance supply chain resilience, it will need reliable partners, and Korea is well-positioned to meet that demand.

Nevertheless, Korea must approach these negotiations with a set of clear principles. First, any discussion of increased defense contributions should not be detached from tangible U.S. commitments, such as enhanced deterrence assurances, technology transfers or expanded industrial partnerships. If Korea is to shoulder a greater financial burden, these commitments will help ensure that the U.S. military presence remains robust and effective in the region.

Second, Korea should insist that any trade or energy agreements deliver mutual economic benefit without undermining its own competitive industries. The U.S. must recognize the importance of fair trade practices and remove discriminatory tariffs and trade barriers imposed under the guise of national security concerns. Such measures have the potential to stifle Korean industries, particularly in high-tech sectors like semiconductors and renewable energy, where Korea holds a competitive edge.

Third, Korea must advocate for the reform of U.S. trade policies that create imbalances, particularly regarding the U.S.' persistent trade deficit. The Korean government should push for a constructive dialogue with U.S. lawmakers and trade officials to address this issue, emphasizing that economic cooperation should be grounded in fairness and long-term stability, rather than in transactional deals that serve short-term political goals.

Diplomatic channels with the U.S. must be actively utilized, not just with current policymakers but across the political spectrum. Building bipartisan support in the U.S. is essential to maintain a balanced and stable relationship, irrespective of domestic political shifts.

As the U.S. seeks to negotiate, it would be wise to recognize the need for a more nuanced approach to diplomacy — one that respects the sovereignty and strategic value of its allies, rather than reducing them to transactional partners. For Korea, this means asserting itself as a key contributor to regional and global security, as well as an indispensable partner in technological innovation and economic stability. The U.S. should look beyond short-term financial contributions and recognize the long-term strategic value that Korea offers.

The U.S. should be reminded that a successful alliance is rooted in mutual respect, fairness and shared long-term objectives, rather than financial transactions or one-sided demands. The Korea-U.S. alliance remains one of the most important global partnerships, and it is far too valuable to be reduced to a set of isolated transactions.

Korea must continue to engage the U.S. not as a passive recipient of demands but as an equal partner, one with significant strategic and economic leverage. While engaging in "package deals" is not inherently problematic, these must be based on mutual benefit and a shared vision for the future of the alliance. By doing so, Korea will help ensure that the partnership remains robust, enduring and mutually advantageous. Trump allegedly called for the need to prioritize the U.S.' traditional allies such as Korea and Japan in future trade talks, brightening the prospects for future trade negotiations.

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