【Asia Business English】From military alliance to economic partnership: How Trump is redefining U.S.-South Korea ties（B1–B2）

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

The relationship between the United States and South Korea is changing. On a recent Sunday, President Trump gave new instructions to the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Defense. He asked them to reduce military exercises with South Korea. These drills are joint military activities that help both countries prepare for any potential conflicts. Trump believes these exercises are too expensive and send negative messages to North Korea, which could be seen as unfriendly or aggressive.

The U.S. has been a key military ally to South Korea for many years, especially because of the ongoing tension with North Korea. However, Trump’s decision marks a shift from a primarily military alliance to one that might focus more on economic partnerships. The reduction in military exercises could lead to a change in how the two countries cooperate. Some experts say this move is part of Trump’s strategy to reduce U.S. military expenses abroad and improve diplomatic relations with North Korea.

There are mixed reactions to this decision. Some people think it could help ease tensions with North Korea and open up new opportunities for dialogue and economic cooperation. Others worry it might weaken the defense readiness of South Korea and the U.S. against any threats from the North. This change could also affect other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as they watch how the U.S. balances its military and economic roles in the area.

Overall, this development is significant because it could redefine how the U.S. and South Korea work together, moving from a focus on military strength to fostering economic ties. This shift is closely watched by other nations, as it might influence future international relations and economic partnerships in the region.

📝 Vocabulary

• Pentagon: the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense
  例文: “The Pentagon announced new military policies today.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • Pentagon officials
  • Pentagon building
  • Pentagon announcement

  ペンタゴン、米国国防総省本部
• drill: a training exercise or practice operation
  例文: “The soldiers participated in a joint drill with the navy.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • military drill
  • fire drill
  • practice drill

  訓練、演習
• alliance: a partnership or agreement between countries
  例文: “The two countries formed an alliance to address shared concerns.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • strategic alliance
  • military alliance
  • form an alliance

  同盟
• tension: a state of mental or emotional strain, often between countries or groups
  例文: “The tension between the two nations has been rising.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • create tension
  • ease tension
  • high tension

  緊張
• diplomatic: relating to the management of relationships between countries
  例文: “She has a diplomatic role in the United Nations.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • diplomatic relations
  • diplomatic mission
  • diplomatic efforts

  外交の

✏️ Grammar Point

Present Perfect Tense – “The U.S. has been a key military ally to South Korea for many years.”

文法の日本語補足を見る

日本語での簡単な補足説明：過去から現在に至る経験や状態を表す

💡 使用場面

(会話／ビジネスでの使いどころを日本語で記載)
この文法は、過去から現在に至る出来事や経験を話すときに使います。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”

❓ Listening Questions

1. True/False: President Trump wants to increase military exercises with South Korea.
2. What is one reason Trump wants to reduce military exercises?
   a) They are unnecessary.
   b) They are too costly.
   c) They are not effective.
   d) They are too frequent.
3. How do some experts view the reduction of military drills?
   a) As a threat to global peace.
   b) As a way to strengthen military power.
   c) As a strategy to cut military expenses.
   d) As an opportunity to increase military drills.

🔑 Listening Answersを見る

1. False
2. b) They are too costly.
3. c) As a strategy to cut military expenses.

📚 Reading Questions

1. What did President Trump instruct the Pentagon to do regarding military drills with South Korea?
2. Why do some people think reducing military exercises could be positive?
3. What does the word “alliance” mean in the context of the script?

🔑 Reading Answersを見る

1. President Trump instructed the Pentagon to reduce military exercises with South Korea.
2. Some people think it could ease tensions with North Korea and open up new opportunities for dialogue and economic cooperation.
3. Alliance means a partnership or agreement between countries.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

最近、米国と韓国の関係が軍事同盟から経済的パートナーシップに変わりつつあります。トランプ大統領は、韓国との軍事演習を削減するようペンタゴンに指示しました。これは、米国が国外での軍事費を削減し、北朝鮮との外交関係を改善するための戦略の一環と見られています。この決定は、米韓の協力の在り方を変える可能性があり、アジア太平洋地域の他国にも影響を与える可能性があります。今後、軍事力から経済的結びつきに重心を移すことで、国際的な関係や経済パートナーシップにどのような影響を与えるか注目されています。

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/26/trump-us-south-korea-alliance-military-drills-.html