Seoul: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that South Korea and Japan will provide hundreds of billions of dollars in upfront investments to the United States, a claim that has sparked pushback from both allies who stress that any commitments will be phased and tied to specific projects.

Speaking on Thursday, Trump said Japan would contribute $550 billion and South Korea $350 billion, describing the amounts as upfront payments that would boost American industries and jobs. The figures, however, appear at odds with official positions in Tokyo and Seoul.

Japan has signed a memorandum of understanding with Washington, but Japanese officials clarified that the investment framework is meant to unfold gradually until January 2029, not as a lump sum. Funds are expected to be directed throug

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