Trump's trip to Asia was planned very well, first to Malaysia, then to Japan, the last stop was South Korea.

To be honest, there was not much movement at the first two stations, but when we arrived in Seoul, it became the focus of the audience.

Just during his visit to South Korea, Trump posted a long message on his social account, and the news that was unfavorable to China finally came!

Trump mentioned two important agreements reached between the United States and South Korea in his article.

The first agreement concerns trade.

South Korea has pledged $350 billion to buy U.S. goods and services in exchange for the United States¡¯ agreement to reduce tariffs on South Korea¡¯s exports.

This amount of money is not a small amount. It is equivalent to South Korea's significant increase in investment in the U.S. market in the next few years.

On the surface, this looks like a deal where everyone gets what they need. The United States gets the order and South Korea gets the tariff concession.

The second agreement is what really shocked all parties.

Trump directly announced in the article: The U.S. government agreed to South Korea's development of nuclear-powered submarine technology. This statement broke the tacit rules for many years.

Nuclear-powered submarines have always been regarded as the strategic weapons of the great powers, and the number of countries that master this technology globally is remarkable.

Once South Korea has nuclear-powered submarines, it means that its naval power will jump to a new level and be able to perform long-term cruise missions in a wider sea area.

The impact of this decision on the surrounding situation was immediately evident. The peninsula was originally a sensitive area, and the forces of the parties have been playing here for decades.

South Korea's permission for nuclear-powered submarines will undoubtedly change the military balance of the area.The Indo-Pacific region was initially undergoing a strategic restructuring, which is another variable.

Throughout the negotiation process, Li Zaiming has been facing domestic economic pressure and diplomatic difficulties, and he urgently needs to produce some practical results to stabilize his position.

The US-Korean trade deal was originally a project Trump was eager to talk about, and he needed to show domestic voters that he could benefit from allies.

Li Zaiming realized this point and deliberately slowed down the pace during the negotiation process. He did not sign when it was time to sign, and was vague when it was time to make a statement.

Everyone knows Trump's character and cannot stand the deadlock in negotiations.

Lee Jae-myung caught his impatience and dragged his feet on the trade agreement, but secretly put what he really wanted on the table.

Nuclear submarine technology has always been the dream of the South Korean military. Past governments have tried to gain support from the United States, but they have encountered obstacles every time.

This time, Lee Jae-myung tied up two things to talk about, and used the trade agreement as a bargaining chip to force Trump to let go on the nuclear submarine issue.

The Trump team was initially reluctant to promise that this sensitive technology transfer involves too many levels of consideration.

But the negotiations can't be delayed for too long. Trump's stay in Seoul is limited, and he is anxious for a achievement that can be achieved.

In the end, the two sides reached a compromise, South Korea made a huge procurement commitment, and the United States gave the green light on nuclear submarine technology.

It is even more interesting to compare the situation in Japan.

Japan's prime minister, High Market Morning, is also looking forward to welcoming Trump's visit, and the reception standard is very high, and there should be a lot of courtesy.

Gao Shizao actually wants to get a lot from the United States. Rare earth cooperation projects are one of her key demands, and she also hopes to gain the support or acquiescence of the United States on the issue of importing crude oil from Russia.

During the time in Tokyo, Trump indeed gave the high market enough face, the atmosphere at the meeting was warm, and various friendly statements said a lot.

Wait until Trump leaves Japan, look carefully, and you will find that what Japan actually gets is less poor.

Rare earth cooperation is still in the research stage, and the United States has not made a clear statement on the issue of Russian crude oil. Gao Shizao went to so much trouble to prepare for the reception, and what he finally gained was more diplomatic rhetoric and verbal commitments.

Malaysia¡¯s reaction was also fast, and Trump left Kuala Lumpur in a matter of days. The Malaysian government announced that it had signed a trade upgrade agreement with China, involving deepening cooperation in multiple fields.

This time point is too subtle, and it is obviously sending a signal to the United States.

ASEAN countries have been walking steel between China and the United States over the years and are becoming more and more skilled, not wanting to completely turn to one side, but also to ensure that they can get benefits from both sides.

Malaysia's action shows that it is not so easy for the United States to rebuild its influence in Southeast Asia.

The U.S. Defense Secretary also immediately began his trip to Asia, and the outside world generally believed that the operation was highly targeted.

However, judging from the current feedback, except for South Korea, which has made substantial progress, other countries 'enthusiasm for the United States is relatively limitedEveryone is watching, all are calculating, all want to maximize profits.

Li Zaiming really won well this time. He didn't rush to show goodwill to the United States as some leaders did, nor did he blindly pursue ostensible declarations of friendship.

He saw very clearly that negotiation is an exchange of interests, and whoever can grasp the other's soft ribs can get more codes.

The exchange of nuclear submarine technology for a trade agreement is not a loss.The Korean military's years of desire has been fulfilled, and Li's political position in the country has become more stable.

In the end, this is a game of interest. The situation on the peninsula was complex, and the strategic intentions of the surrounding major powers differed, and now the variable of nuclear submarines is added.

It is hard to say what this ocean will look like in the future. more follow-up, let¡¯s keep on watching!

Source of information:

1. Post on Trump's official social media account, October 30, 2025

United States and South Korea Joint Statement Document, Seoul Qingdao Press Office, October 29, 2025

Press conference of the South Korean Ministry of Defense on Naval Construction Planning, October 29, 2025

Joint announcement by the Ministry of Commerce of Malaysia and the Ministry of Commerce of China, Kuala Lumpur, October 28, 2025

5. Explanatory materials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the results of the US-Japan summit meeting, Tokyo, October 28, 2025