- Donald Trump asserted that South Korea should bear the cost of its own defence, deeming it "very unfair" that the US funds the military protection of prosperous nations.
- Trump claimed that during his first presidency, he negotiated a deal for South Korea to pay billions of dollars for the upkeep of American troops, a deal he alleges Joe Biden subsequently cancelled.
- He stated that South Korea initially "went crazy" but agreed to pay $3bn after he sought $10bn for the presence of US forces.
- South Korea, in response to Trump's latest demands, affirmed its commitment to the existing defence cost-sharing terms previously agreed with the US.
- Trump's remarks follow his announcement of a 25 per cent import tariff on goods from South Korea and Japan, effective from 1 August.
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