BANGKOK -- Asian leaders sent their congratulations to Donald Trump on Tuesday, the day after his inauguration as the 47th U.S. president, though some expressed concern over a vow in his inauguration address to use tariffs to benefit Americans.
South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-Mok said he wanted a telephone conversation with the new U.S. president in the near future.
“We will work to arrange a call with President Trump soon and actively engage in high-level communication between the two nations’ foreign and industry ministers,” said Choi during a meeting to discuss economic issues.
Choi added he was concerned about the impact of tariffs on the South Korean economy after Trump said at his inauguration speech he planned to “tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens.”
“A working-level delegation has already been dispatched to Washington, D.C., to assess the background and specific details of upcoming measures,” Choi said.
U.S. ally South Korea will also be keen to sound Trump out about his plans for North Korea after his unprecedented but ultimately unsuccessful effort to engage with its leader, Kim Jong Un, during his first term.
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Other Asian leaders voiced geopolitical concerns, particularly after Chinese President Xi Jinping told Trump on Friday that the “Taiwan issue” – or Beijing’s belief that the island is an integral part of China to be reunited by force if necessary – was a “red line” not to be crossed.
“Taiwan eagerly looks forward to working hand in hand with the new administration and Congress to further strengthen Taiwan-U.S. relations on the existing foundation, jointly safeguarding democracy and freedom, and promoting global prosperity and development!” Taiwan President Lai Ching-te wrote on Facebook.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also talked of the need for an alliance with the U.S. in order to maintain peace in the region.
“I look forward to collaborating with you to reinforce the enduring Japan-US partnership and jointly pursue our shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Ishiba wrote on social media platform X.
Vietnam’s Communist Party general secretary, president and prime minister all sent their congratulations to Trump as the two nations mark 30 years of diplomatic ties, state media reported.
To Lam, Luong Cuong and Pham Minh Chinh “expressed their belief that with the leadership and support from Trump, Vietnam-U.S. relations will continue developing steadily based on the principle of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, and political regimes for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development,” the Vietnam News Agency said.
Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.