How Does US Treasury Rally Allies and Handle China? | Taiwan Talks EP836

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled through Japan and South Korea ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, conducting a series of high-level meetings that may have shaped the agenda before the two leaders even sat down together. In Tokyo, Bessent discussed trade, energy and currency issues with Japanese officials, while in Seoul he met South Korean leaders and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng. These behind-the-scenes talks highlighted the growing overlap between economics, security and diplomacy in US-China competition. But what exactly was the White House trying to achieve through Bessent’s regional tour? In this episode, we examine Bessent’s role inside the Trump administration, the significance of his meetings in Seoul and Tokyo and what they reveal about the US’ evolving strategy toward China.

*Recorded on May 14, 2026 at 3:15pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host: Wen-Ti Sung
Producer: Julian Oeuillet

Our guests:

Charles Wu
- National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy Professor and Chair
Yuan I
- National Chengchi University Institute of International Relations Adjunct Research Fellow

Chapters:
00:00:00 – Bessent Tours Japan, SK
00:01:38 – US Treasury Secretary’s Role
00:09:52 – Senior US, Chinese Officials Meet Lee
00:16:13 – Japan, US Hold Talks
00:21:03 – Trump Officials Handling of Foreign Ties




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