Trump and Lee Jae-myung: 2025 Alaska LNG and Shipbuilding Deal

On August 25, 2025, US President Donald Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the White House to discuss a trade deal focused on Seoul’s investment in the $44 billion Alaska LNG project, with a capacity of 20 million tons per year, and a $150 billion fund to support US shipbuilding.

Details of the agreement are still unclear, but it is linked to a July 31 trade deal that set 15 % tariffs on South Korean imports, effectively replacing an existing free trade agreement. Trump highlighted the involvement of both South Korea and Japan in the Alaska LNG project, which is still selecting strategic partners.

Trump expressed concerns about South Korea’s political situation, alleging “vicious raids” on churches and a US military base, claims that Lee denied. Lee referenced the recent political turmoil in South Korea, stemming from a failed coup attempt by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December.

The leaders underscored the importance of trilateral cooperation between the US, South Korea, and Japan. They also discussed a potential joint visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Lee agreeing to the idea.