Trump Hails South Korea as "Invaluable Friend and Economic Miracle Ally"
Trump Emphasizes U.S.-Korea Ties in APEC CEO Summit Keynote
Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a keynote address at the '2025 APEC CEO Summit' held at the Gyeongju Arts Center on October 29, 2025. This speech, Trump's first visit since his trip to South Korea in 2019, is expected to reaffirm and further strengthen the economic cooperation between South Korea and the United States. In his speech, Trump referred to South Korea as an "invaluable friend and ally that has achieved an economic miracle," expressing his deep trust. He highly praised South Korea's economic growth and innovative technological prowess, promising continued close cooperation in various fields. Furthermore, Trump emphasized that the strong alliance between the United States and South Korea plays a vital role in the economic development of both countries and stressed the need to continue developing mutually beneficial relationships. It remains to be seen whether Trump's APEC CEO Summit keynote will lead to practical economic cooperation beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric.
Lee Jae-myung Lauded by Trump; U.S. Signals Commitment to Tech Cooperation
President Trump praised Lee Jae-myung in his speech as a "wonderful leader," expressing his anticipation for the development of relations between the two countries. Along with this, Trump expressed a strong commitment to U.S.-Korea technology and shipbuilding industry cooperation. In particular, cooperation in advanced technology fields is expected to secure future growth engines for both economies and strengthen competitiveness in the global market. Trump also highly praised South Korea's shipbuilding industry competitiveness, promising to spare no effort in supporting its further development through cooperation with the United States. This is expected to provide significant support to the Korean shipbuilding industry amidst intensifying competition in the global shipbuilding market. Moreover, Trump emphasized the expansion of cooperation with South Korea in various fields such as energy and infrastructure, vowing to strive to generate tangible economic benefits. Trump's positive remarks raise expectations that U.S.-Korea relations will become more solid and economic cooperation will become more active.
U.S.-Korea Trade Negotiations Nearing Conclusion; New Chapter in Economic Relations on the Horizon?
Trump revealed in his speech that trade negotiations with South Korea are nearing completion, raising expectations that a new chapter in economic relations between the two countries will open. The conclusion of this trade negotiation is expected to greatly contribute to further revitalizing trade between the two countries and promoting mutual investment expansion. In particular, Trump predicted that U.S. exports to South Korea would increase significantly through this agreement, emphasizing that it would also have a positive impact on the U.S. economy. South Korea is also expected to secure new export markets and lay the foundation for economic growth through this agreement. This U.S.-Korea trade negotiation is seen as contributing not only to pursuing the economic interests of both countries but also to stabilizing the global trade order and promoting the value of free trade. However, some are raising concerns that certain industrial sectors in South Korea may be negatively affected by this agreement, and the government will need to conduct a thorough review and prepare countermeasures.
Lee Jae-myung Observes Trump Signing Guest Book
On October 29, 2025, Lee Jae-myung observed former U.S. President Donald Trump signing the guest book at the Gyeongju National Museum, reflecting on the importance of relations between the two countries. This visit by Trump is his first since 2019, and President Lee Jae-myung is expected to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Korea alliance through his meeting with Trump and discuss cooperation measures in various fields. In particular, Lee Jae-myung is expected to once again urge the United States to play an active role in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and strengthen cooperation to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process. President Lee Jae-myung is also expected to explain the current state and future vision of the Korean economy to Trump and request that U.S. companies expand their investments in South Korea. This meeting between Lee Jae-myung and Trump is expected to mark a new turning point in U.S.-Korea relations and serve as an important opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Attention is focused on what messages the two leaders will exchange and what agreements they will reach.
