President Lee Meets Bessent and He Lifeng Ahead of U.S.-China Summit: "Further Expanding Cooperation"

High-Level Meetings with U.S. and Chinese Officials Ahead of May 14 Summit
Lee Emphasizes Supply Chain and Foreign Exchange Cooperation to Secretary Bessent
Urges "Close Communication" in Talks with Vice Premier He Lifeng

On May 13, President Lee Jaemyung met consecutively with senior officials from the United States and China who visited Seoul to coordinate the upcoming U.S.-China summit. Just ahead of a summit that will shape the future of the global economic order, President Lee listened to both sides’ positions and emphasized to each the importance of cooperation.

Kang Yoojeong, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, announced in an afternoon briefing at Chunchugwan that President Lee held back-to-back meetings at the presidential office with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Secretary Bessent and Vice Premier He visited Korea for the final round of high-level negotiations before the U.S.-China summit scheduled for May 14.

During the meetings, President Lee stated that despite increasing uncertainty, the South Korean and U.S. economies continue to show stability, and that both countries should further strengthen their economic cooperation to maintain this positive momentum. Kang explained that President Lee especially emphasized the necessity of cooperation between the two countries in supply chains for key minerals and in the foreign exchange market.

Secretary Bessent expressed his agreement with President Lee’s views, noting that, even amid challenges such as the war in the Middle East, South Korea, under President Lee’s leadership, has achieved remarkable results in growth rate and stock prices compared to other countries. In response, President Lee called for efforts to ensure that strategic investments between South Korea and the United States, based on strong mutual trust, lead to comprehensive cooperation in economic strategy, thereby benefiting both nations.

In the earlier meeting with Vice Premier He, President Lee described the comprehensive restoration of Korea-China relations through mutual state visits by the two leaders this year as a major achievement of pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests. He then proposed to further expand cooperation in ways that benefit the daily lives of the people of both countries. President Lee also asked Vice Premier He to play an active role, stating that close communication must continue to deliver concrete and practical outcomes in economics, industry, trade, and culture.

Vice Premier He responded that he is pleased to see the positive momentum in Korea-China relations, such as the further increase in bilateral trade in the first half of this year, thanks to the strategic leadership of both leaders despite global uncertainty. He also expressed deep gratitude for the Korean government’s active support in hosting the U.S.-China trade talks and pledged to fulfill his responsibilities to ensure that agreements between the Korean and Chinese leaders are smoothly implemented.