Politics · Singapore Bureau
Trump pledged to seek release of detained US seismologist from China
The wife of an American nuclear weapons expert imprisoned in China since late 2024 said the White House has assured her that President Donald Trump will raise the case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during their expected meeting this week.
LSN Singapore ·
WASHINGTON — The spouse of a US seismologist specializing in North Korean nuclear testing revealed on Tuesday that White House officials have given assurances that President Trump intends to advocate for her husband's release during high-level discussions with Beijing's leadership.
The expert has been held in Chinese custody since late 2024, marking a significant diplomatic friction point between Washington and Beijing. The announcement comes as bilateral relations between the two powers remain strained over multiple policy disagreements and trade issues.
The wife's disclosure underscores the personal toll of the detention while highlighting the Trump administration's stated commitment to resolving the matter through direct diplomatic engagement at the highest levels. Such detentions of American citizens abroad have historically served as leverage points in US-China negotiations.
Details regarding the specific charges against the seismologist or the exact timing of the anticipated Trump-Xi conversation were not immediately disclosed. The case adds to broader concerns among American officials and analysts regarding the treatment of US nationals in China and ongoing tensions over technology and security matters related to the Korean peninsula.