Japan and South Korea pledged a total of $9 trillion in investment in the United States and agreed on the condition that tariffs be capped at 15%. In the first half of 2026, Japan's trade surplus with the United States was $20 billion, while the US trade deficit with South Korea was $50 billion.
The agreement between President Trump and Japan and South Korea was concluded with both countries pledging to invest a total of $9 trillion in the United States. The reported condition was that tariffs be capped at 15%.
The initiative is positioned in part as an effort to reduce the US trade deficits with Japan and South Korea, and is said to be intended to strengthen economic cooperation against a backdrop of long-standing dissatisfaction.
According to statistics for the first half of 2026, Japan's trade surplus with the United States was approximately $20 billion, while the US trade deficit with South Korea was approximately $50 billion. These figures are facts cited in the article.
Further information in future reporting will be needed on the background to the matter, as well as the specific timing and scope of its implementation and impact.