President Lee and U.S. President Trump Hold First Phone Call: “Will Work Toward Mutually Satisfactory Agreement on Tariffs”
President Lee Jae-myung held his first official phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on the night of June 6, during which the two leaders agreed to closely cooperate for the future development of the Korea-U.S. alliance, Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung announced in a written briefing.
The two leaders also discussed ongoing tariff negotiations and agreed to strive for a swift and mutually satisfactory agreement. They committed to encouraging tangible progress in working-level talks to that end.
The phone call lasted approximately 20 minutes, starting at 10 p.m. President Trump began by congratulating President Lee on his recent election victory.
President Lee expressed his gratitude for the congratulatory message and emphasized the significance of the Korea-U.S. alliance, which he described as the cornerstone of South Korea’s foreign policy.
President Trump extended an invitation for President Lee to visit the United States. In response, Lee expressed his hope that the two sides, as special allies, would continue to meet frequently for consultations.
The two leaders agreed to meet in person at the earliest opportunity, whether on the sidelines of a multilateral summit or through a bilateral visit, to hold deeper discussions on the future of the alliance.
Spokesperson Kang noted that the conversation was conducted in a warm and candid atmosphere, with both leaders sharing various personal anecdotes and experiences from their election campaigns.
They also exchanged views on the assassination threats and political challenges they had each faced, expressing mutual understanding that such adversities often give rise to strong leadership.
Interestingly, the two leaders discussed their golfing skills and agreed to arrange a round together in support of the alliance when schedules allow.
President Lee shared a story about receiving a “Trump-signed” hat as a gift, to which President Trump responded with interest, saying he looked forward to meeting President Lee, whom he described as highly respected.
Kang concluded that the call not only addressed key bilateral issues but also served as an opportunity for the two leaders to build mutual trust and friendship at the highest level.
[Editor Junbeom]
