Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul is set to meet with China’s top diplomat and foreign minister, Wang Yi, during his upcoming visit to Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany next week. Their meeting drew significant interest, particularly in light of the escalating trade tensions between the United States and China.
With Wang also slated to attend the MSC, there’s a strong possibility of a bilateral meeting between the South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers. In a phone call last December, Wang expressed his commitment to maintaining positive South Korea-China relations, proposing close communication and cooperation across various sectors, even amid South Korea’s political challenges.
Industry sources report that South Korean and Chinese diplomatic channels actively coordinate for a potential face-to-face meeting. However, the specifics of the encounter are yet to be finalized. Beyond the MSC, Wang may also participate in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa on February 20 to 21, offering another potential venue for bilateral talks.
The two foreign ministers have previously engaged in several meetings on the sidelines of multilateral events, including last year’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos and the UN General Assembly in New York. The two ministers will likely delve into China’s position on the trade dispute that has flared up since President Donald Trump took office, focusing on China’s expectations of South Korea’s role in the matter.
On Tuesday, just two weeks into President Trump’s term, the U.S. imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. China swiftly retaliated, announcing plans to levy a 10% tariff on certain U.S. products and a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas, effective February 10.
As tensions between the U.S. and China escalate, experts predict South Korea will inevitably feel direct and indirect impacts. In anticipation, the South Korean government is expected to request appropriate measures from China to minimize the potential effects on the country.
With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set to take place in Gyeongju this November, discussions are also expected to address the possibility of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to South Korea.
Moreover, North Korea’s situation will likely be a key focus. Given the continued military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and the growing threat of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, South Korea’s foreign minister is expected to call on China to play a more constructive role in addressing these issues.