Unexpected Cancellation of U.S.-Korea 2+2 Meeting

In a surprising move, the United States has abruptly canceled the scheduled '2+2' trade and finance discussions with South Korea. The cancellation came just as South Korean officials were preparing to depart for Washington, D.C., leaving questions about the future of bilateral talks.

Stockholm Trip Highlighted as Alternative

In response to inquiries about rescheduling, the U.S. pointed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's upcoming trip to Stockholm, suggesting that urgent discussions could take place there. This has been interpreted as a sign of increasing pressure from the U.S. side.

Uncertainty Looms Over Rescheduled Talks

With Secretary Bessent's schedule packed, including meetings with the Chinese delegation in Stockholm, the possibility of arranging a new meeting before the August 1 deadline remains uncertain. South Korean officials express concern over the tight timeline and lack of detailed explanations from the U.S.

Behind the Scenes of the Last-Minute Cancellation

The cancellation, attributed to a 'scheduling conflict' by the U.S., has left many speculating about the underlying reasons. Despite South Korea's efforts to seek clarity, additional details have not been forthcoming, raising tensions between the two allies.