US Worried that Trade Dispute Between Japan and South Korea May Benefit China and North Korea

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (C) joins hands with his South Korean counterpart Song Young-moo (L) and Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera in the Philippines' Clark special economic zone on Oct. 23, 2017. Video screenshot/Reuters

Commentary

U.S. President Donald Trump said on July 19 that he would help resolve tensions between South Korea and Japan if asked. Previously, a Japanese media outlet quoted a U.S. official as saying that Washington is worried that the conflict between Japan and South Korea may play into the hands of China and North Korea.