After a charm offensive in Japan that culminated in $490 billion in investment commitments, President Donald Trump is set to meet with South Korea’s leader on Wednesday as a trade deal with that country appears more elusive. The main issue is Trump's demand for South Korea to invest $350 billion in the U.S. Korean officials prefer loans and guarantees instead of direct cash, fearing economic destabilization. This disagreement could overshadow the meeting between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Meanwhile, South Korea faces a 25% tariff on automobiles, putting them at a disadvantage compared to Japanese and European competitors.
