Diplomatic Tightrope: South Korea Hosts Trump and Xi Amid Tensions

Wed Oct 29 2025 17:06:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As South Korea prepares to host leaders from the U.S. and China, citizens express rising tensions through protests, reflecting the complex diplomatic landscape that President Lee Jae-myung must navigate.

In a pivotal week for South Korea, President Lee Jae-myung finds himself balancing between the demands of U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. With mounting protests against both leaders, South Koreans express concerns over national identity and economic pressures. The diplomatic dance underscores the country's historical ties with the U.S. and the growing economic influence of China.

'No Trump!' the rally of hundreds shouted, growing louder as it neared the United States embassy in the centre of South Korea's capital Seoul.

A line of police buses stopped them reaching the gates, but a stage and loudspeaker ensured their voices would soar above Gwanghwamun square and within earshot of US President Donald Trump's representatives.

This was a small rally by the standards of South Korea's vibrant protest culture. And it was not the only one under way. A few hundred metres to the north, at the gates of Gyeongbokgung palace, marchers held aloft more banners as they chanted a very different message.

'No China,' along with a smattering of 'CCP [Chinese Communist Party] out!'. Again, the numbers - several hundred people - were not huge for South Korea.

Nevertheless, this footfall through central Seoul on a sunny Saturday is an indication of the diplomatic dance South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung will have to perform this week as he hosts the leaders of both the US and China.

Seoul is - and has long been - a key US ally. A friendship 'forged in blood', as its leaders often say, during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, when American troops helped repel the North Korean invasion. The South still needs Washington's protection, but it also needs China, its biggest trading partner and a vital market for exports.

'It's a particularly fraught moment - South Korea finds itself caught between a rock and a hard place,' says Darcie Draudt-Vejares from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

'Year after year it is epitomising the choice of many countries worldwide that are deeply economically integrated with China, but also economically integrated with the US. Right now, Lee Jae-myung is trying to manoeuvre between these superpowers.'

This week will involve hosting talks between Trump and Xi that may yield a breakthrough in their ongoing trade war.

At 61, Lee is a seasoned politician, but he has his work cut out for him. His emphatic victory in June came after a turbulent period, when his predecessor's actions led to widespread protests and a constitutional crisis.

By the time Lee took office, Trump's tariffs had stunned both allies and rivals. Negotiations began and in August, Lee visited the White House, presenting a charm offensive that seemed effective.

South Korea pledged to invest $350bn in the US and buy $100bn worth of liquified natural gas, leading to the hope of reduced tariffs.

However, matters took a turn when over 300 South Koreans were detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, raising questions of trust, particularly as Hyundai is a major investor in the US.

Despite concerns, around 90% of South Koreans view the US as their most important ally, but sentiments towards China are mixed, with a third viewing it as a significant threat.

This week is crucial for President Lee as he aims for economic stability while addressing rising domestic discontent related to both superpowers.

As protests continue to surface, the future of South Korea's relations with both the US and China remains uncertain, embedding the nation in an intricate web of international politics that will shape its prosperity moving forward.