BUSAN (dpa-AFX) – The USA, as South Korea’s most important ally and protective power, wants to allow the Asian country to build nuclear-powered submarines. US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that production should take place in Philadelphia in the United States. The military alliance is “stronger than ever,” which is why he gave the corresponding approval.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked for fuel for nuclear-powered submarines during his meeting with Trump on Wednesday. According to South Korea’s national security adviser, Wi Sung Lac, Trump agreed in principle to this but called for further discussions. The export of such fuel is politically sensitive because nuclear-powered submarines often use highly enriched uranium – the same material that can also be used for atomic bombs. The advantage of nuclear-powered submarines compared to conventional submarines is that they can remain underwater for up to several months.
Counterbalance to China
South Korea, along with Japan, is of great strategic importance to the USA, a nuclear power. The two countries should form a counterweight to China. It was only on Tuesday that Trump announced during his trip to Asia that he would expand defense and economic cooperation with Japan.
Trump has now also confirmed that South Korea wants to “pay” $350 billion (300 billion euros) so that the USA can reduce its tariff rate on South Korean imports. According to the South Korean side, $200 billion should be paid in cash to the USA and the rest invested in joint projects in the shipbuilding industry. Trump, on the other hand, referred to further investments by large companies and business people from the Asian country amounting to a good 600 billion dollars./ngu/DP/zb