Japan, South Korea Abruptly Pull Out of NATO Summit
A growing rift is forming between the U.S. and its key Indo-Pacific allies, Japan and South Korea, as both nations unexpectedly withdrew from the recent NATO summit in The Hague. Their absence highlights rising tensions with Washington over defense spending and unresolved trade issues, including American pressure on Tokyo to increase military expenditures and threats of tariffs on Japanese goods. South Korea also faces domestic political strains and dissatisfaction over limited engagement with President Trump. These developments come amid heightened U.S.-China rivalry and risk weakening Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. To restore trust, the U.S. is urged to engage more constructively on defense expectations, finalize trade agreements, and deepen NATO-Asia cooperation.