The White House has formally announced that US President Donald Trump will hold summit talks followed by a luncheon with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung this week in Washington. The meeting comes at a critical juncture for the alliance, as both nations face growing challenges from an assertive China.

According to the White House, President Trump will welcome Lee at noon on Monday (Washington time). The two leaders will begin bilateral talks at the Oval Office shortly after, at 12:15 p.m., followed by a working lunch in the Cabinet Room at 12:45 p.m. While the White House had earlier confirmed the meeting, this is the first time it has released a detailed schedule.

The summit agenda is expected to cover security cooperation, trade relations, and defense cost-sharing, with the role of the 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea likely to be a focal point. Washington has pushed for greater “strategic flexibility” of US Forces Korea (USFK), aligning troop missions with broader Indo-Pacific security goals, particularly in countering Beijing’s influence.

Speaking to reporters en route from Tokyo, Lee acknowledged the difficulty in fully agreeing with Washington’s request on troop flexibility but emphasized the importance of open dialogue. “We need discussions on the future role of USFK, even if there are areas of disagreement,” Lee said.

Tariff negotiations and broader trade issues are also expected to feature prominently, as the Trump administration seeks to “modernize” the bilateral partnership. For Seoul, maintaining a balance between its security alliance with Washington and economic ties with Beijing remains a delicate challenge.

The Trump–Lee summit marks Lee’s first official White House visit, underscoring the significance of the US–South Korea alliance amid shifting regional dynamics.