트럼프 정부 출범과 한미관계

South Korea-U.S. ties got off to a bumpy start with the launch of the Donald Trump administration at the beginning of the year.

Although placing importance on South Korea-U.S. relations, Trump relentlessly voiced his “America First” strategy.

The U.S. applied strong pressure on South Korea in terms of their bilateral free trade agreement(FTA). Amid such pressure, Seoul and Washington agreed in October to launch negotiations to amend the trade deal during a special session of a joint committee on the issue.

The U.S. also pressured South Korea in terms of trade with the U.S. International Trade Commission(ITC) recommending a 50 percent tariff for imports of large residential washing machines by Samsung and LG exceeding one-point-two million units.



Politically, communication between leaders in Washington and Seoul had been virtually severed until the end of May with the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye.

Confusing signals came from the White House regarding North Korea and concerns were raised that South Korea may be excluded from discussions on handling Korean Peninsula issues.

On the day he took office, President Moon Jae-in called Trump and the leaders agreed to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance. The two then held a summit at the White House on June 30th and discussed ways to respond to North Korea’s nuclear issue and boost their countries’ alliance. On November seventh, Trump made a state visit to South Korea and held a second summit with Moon, putting bilateral relations back on track.

On December 18th, the U.S. unveiled its new national security strategy and in it stressed that its alliance and friendship with South Korea has never been stronger.

Photo : Yonhap News, KBS News

1. Launch of Moon Jae-in Gov’t

2. Park Geun-hye’s Impeachment and Trial

3. North Korea’s Nuclear Tests and Missile Provocations

4. China’s Retaliation to THAAD... Seoul, China Put Differences Behind

5. Launch of Trump Administration & S. Korea-U.S. Ties

6. S. Korea’s Economy Posts 3% Growth… Trade Volume Tops $1 Tln

7. KOSPI Ushers in 2,500 Era

8. Lessons from Pohang Quake

9. S. Korea Aims to Become a Nation Strong in Sport with the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games

10. The 4th Industrial Revolution Lands on Korean Peninsula