How U.S.-China tensions leave countries like South Korea stuck in the middle

President Donald Trump shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as he receives a gift of a gold crown and an award of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, not seen, during a high honor ceremony at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 29, 2025.

President Trump met with President Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last week. APEC's host, South Korea, is carefully balancing its relations with the U.S. and China.

(Image credit: Mark Schiefelbein)