Two leading U.S. defense analysts have proposed a sharp reduction in American forces stationed in South Korea, recommending a cut from roughly 28,500 troops to about 10,000. Their recommendations come amid heightened concern over China’s expanding influence and a broader effort to recalibrate the United States’ military posture in East Asia.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday South Korea should be paying for its own military protection and suggested the U.S. ally needed to pay more for the U.S. troop presence there, a day after saying he planned to impose a 25 percent tariff on its imports.

President Donald Trump said tariffs he plans to impose on South Korea are intended to “even out” what he described as an imbalance between trade and the cost of stationing U.S. troops in the country.