Bessent says will visit Seoul ahead of Trump-Xi summit

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to visit South Korea on Wednesday for a brief stopover before traveling to Beijing for a U.S.-China summit. His trip includes a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Seoul, though the purpose of the meeting and whether it will include South Korean officials remain unconfirmed. Local media reports suggest scheduling constraints may prevent meetings with South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol or other senior officials, despite expectations of discussions on economic and financial issues, including the foreign exchange market. South Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed close coordination with the U.S. regarding Bessent’s tight schedule, noting that his short visit will be accommodated. The ministry also highlighted ongoing communication with China, following Beijing’s announcement that He Lifeng would visit South Korea to negotiate trade issues ahead of the Trump-Xi summit. The meeting aligns with broader efforts to address economic security under President Trump’s ‘America First Economic Agenda,’ as Bessent emphasized in his statement. The U.S.-China summit between President Trump and President Xi is set for Thursday and Friday in Beijing, focusing on bilateral economic and trade relations. Bessent’s visit to Seoul is part of a broader diplomatic push to align positions before high-level talks, though the lack of clarity on specific engagements suggests logistical challenges in finalizing the agenda.