U.S. President Joe Biden convened a high-stakes trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday. The leaders sought to solidify the diplomatic progress achieved during Biden’s administration while addressing shared challenges in an increasingly volatile global environment. This critical meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru.
The summit comes at a time of heightened uncertainty, with North Korea’s deepening military alignment with Russia, growing concerns over China’s assertiveness, and the incoming Trump administration’s potential to recalibrate U.S. foreign policy and global alliances.
The meeting marked the first in-person gathering of Biden, Ishiba, and Yoon since Ishiba’s recent appointment as Japan’s Prime Minister in October. It also underscored the Biden administration’s concerted efforts to foster closer ties between Japan and South Korea, two nations historically divided by lingering tensions stemming from Japan’s 1910–1945 colonial rule over Korea.
“Getting South Korea and Japan to cooperate is one of the significant diplomatic achievements of President Biden’s term,” said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Sullivan noted that the creation of a Trilateral Secretariat, announced during the meeting, formalizes the relationship to ensure sustained collaboration beyond ad hoc meetings.
Biden hailed the alliance, stating, “I truly believe the cooperation of our countries will be the foundation of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific for many years to come.”
The new Secretariat aims to deepen cooperation across a range of shared strategic interests, including regional security, economic resilience, and countering nuclear threats.
A key focus of the trilateral discussions was North Korea’s increasingly provocative actions, including its deployment of troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine and its continued nuclear weapons development. In a joint statement, the leaders of the U.S., Japan, and South Korea condemned the decision by North Korea and Russia to expand their military cooperation.
“Japan, the ROK, and the United States strongly condemn the decisions by the leaders of the DPRK and Russia to dangerously expand Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” the statement read, referring to South Korea and North Korea by their official names: the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The leaders expressed grave concerns about the ongoing escalation and reiterated their commitment to deterring North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Sullivan highlighted the risks posed by the ongoing U.S. presidential transition, warning, “Transitions have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions, both before and after the transition from one president to a new president. I do not think we can count on a period of quiet with the DPRK.”
China’s growing influence and assertive posture in the Indo-Pacific were central to the summit discussions. Biden views the trilateral alliance as a critical counterbalance to Beijing’s ambitions in the region, though Chinese officials have dismissed this perspective as an outdated Cold War mindset.
President Yoon met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit, signaling a willingness to engage in diplomacy with Beijing. Ishiba and Biden are also expected to hold separate discussions with Xi, emphasizing a multifaceted approach to regional stability.
While Biden has prioritized strengthening U.S. alliances in Asia, the incoming Trump administration’s “America First” approach could complicate this strategy. Trump’s skepticism of traditional U.S. alliances, coupled with his unorthodox engagement with North Korea during his previous term, raises concerns among allies about continuity in U.S. foreign policy.
Beyond addressing immediate security threats, the trilateral summit highlighted collaborative efforts to advance regional economic growth. The three nations pledged to deepen cooperation with the Philippines, focusing on infrastructure development in critical sectors such as ports, energy, and transportation.
This commitment underscores the Biden administration’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to strengthen regional partnerships to counterbalance China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
As Biden’s term draws to a close, the future of U.S. foreign policy remains uncertain. Trump’s impending inauguration on January 20 has raised questions about the durability of the trilateral alliance. Trump’s prior term featured an unpredictable approach to alliances and a controversial direct engagement strategy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Biden’s efforts to build trust and foster cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea may face tests under the new administration. Analysts have raised concerns that a shift in U.S. policy could embolden adversaries and weaken the cohesion of regional alliances.
Despite uncertainties, the trilateral summit represents a significant milestone in U.S. diplomacy. Biden’s emphasis on strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific aligns with broader goals of ensuring peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the region.
As global tensions rise, the unity of the U.S., Japan, and South Korea serves as a powerful message to adversaries and allies alike. Whether this progress will endure beyond Biden’s administration remains an open question, but the foundation laid during this meeting underscores the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing shared challenges in an interconnected world.
The leaders’ joint statement concluded with a reaffirmation of their shared commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. While challenges abound, the summit showcased the potential for diplomacy to transcend historical divisions and forge a united path forward.
