https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-france-lee-macron-trump-iran-3b0c39d11cdc7e23b98dc0f8dbe0f491
French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed to work together to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease global economic uncertainties caused by the war in the Middle East. Iran shut down the waterway in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, driving up energy prices and increasing fears of a global recession. Their summit came as President Trump slammed allies for not supporting the US and Israeli war against Iran, and Macron has said that reopening the strait through a military operation is unrealistic. Beyond the Hormuz issue, the two leaders signed agreements to cooperate on nuclear fuel supply chains, semiconductors, critical minerals, and offshore wind energy, and set a goal of reaching $20 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
This summit is significant because it represents US allies actively distancing itself from Washington. Rather than backing Trump’s approach, France and South Korea are pursuing diplomacy and economic self-sufficiency. For South Korea in particular it is a matter of survival as the country is heavily dependent on energy imports that flow through the Strait of Hormuz. The agreements on nuclear energy and critical minerals reflect a broader trend of countries building resilient, diversified supply chains in response to geopolitical shocks. Macron’s Asian tour also shows France’s intent to reassert itself as a strategic player in the Indo-Pacific, filling space left by a more isolationist US.
France will use this partnership to boost exports and attract Korean investment, while reinforcing its image as a multilateral leader willing to pursue diplomatic solutions. South Korea will try to secure energy supply chains through diplomacy and renewable energy investment, reducing its vulnerability to future crises. The US may retaliate in some manner especially considering the Trump administration’s habit of retaliation. Iran could see a France-South Korea diplomatic track as a potential off-ramp that avoids military confrontation.
This connects to Soft Power and Sustainability. South Korea’s vulnerability to Hormuz disruptions illustrates poor sustainability as a conflict thousands of miles away threatens the country’s entire energy supply. It also connects to the soft power as France and South Korea are moving away from US centric goals which demonstrates degrading US soft power.