Trump Praises South Korean Minister as 'Tough Negotiator,' Shows Interest in 'MARS-G' Project
Trump Praises South Korean Minister Kim Jung-gwan as "Tough Negotiator," Shows Strong Interest in 'MARS-G'
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked considerable interest by lavishing praise on South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Kim Jung-gwan. Speaking to a group of international business leaders on October 30, 2025, immediately after arriving in South Korea, President Trump called Minister Kim a "tough negotiator," noting that U.S. officials found him a formidable counterpart. This is seen as high praise for Minister Kim's role and abilities in fostering economic cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea. Notably, President Trump's remarks are viewed as an acknowledgement of Minister Kim's negotiating skills during a period of intense trade friction between the two nations, making them particularly noteworthy.
During his speech, President Trump repeatedly expressed strong resolve and expectations regarding 'MARS-G' (Maritime Renaissance Strategy - Global), the shipbuilding revival project that South Korea has pledged to actively pursue. 'MARS-G' is a key policy of the South Korean government aimed at revitalizing the struggling shipbuilding industry. President Trump's expression of interest is interpreted as an effort to secure U.S. support and further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. The continued interest in the 'MARS-G' project is seen as a positive sign, potentially increasing cooperation in the shipbuilding sector between the U.S. and South Korea.
Since taking office, Minister Kim Jung-gwan has moved quickly to strengthen economic cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea. Just two days into his tenure, he traveled to the U.S. to closely engage with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Luttnick, creating opportunities for additional negotiations. This is viewed as a proactive step towards resolving outstanding issues between the two countries, and attention is focused on whether Minister Kim's efforts will lead to substantial progress in negotiations. In particular, Minister Kim's swift visit to the U.S. and series of meetings with Secretary Luttnick are expected to emphasize the importance of economic cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea and contribute to building a positive relationship between the two nations.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Koo Yoon-cheol and Minister Kim Jung-gwan made thorough preparations ahead of their meeting with President Trump last July. They reportedly prepared a 'MARS-G hat,' a 'mad cow disease protest photo,' and a 'panel' summarizing key discussion points, all in an effort to make a lasting impression on President Trump. This is an example of the government's meticulous preparation for a successful summit, and the meeting is seen as having had a positive impact on the development of relations between the two countries. These efforts are interpreted as part of a customized strategy that takes into account the unique relationship between the U.S. and South Korea, and are expected to serve as a useful reference point in similar situations in the future.
The U.S. and South Korea have held over 20 ministerial-level talks, exploring cooperation in various fields. During these negotiations, both countries have strived to increase mutual understanding and pursue common interests, which is seen as having contributed to establishing a solid foundation for U.S.-South Korea relations. In particular, ministerial-level talks have had a significant impact on policy decisions by both governments and have played an important role in developing practical cooperation measures. The U.S. and South Korea are expected to continue to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including economy and security, through ministerial-level talks in the future.
Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yong-beom made a series of visits to the United States just before the U.S.-South Korea summit to facilitate behind-the-scenes coordination. Chief of Staff Kim held three direct negotiations with Secretary Luttnick, working to narrow the differences between the two countries. This is an example of the government's hidden efforts to ensure the success of the summit, and Chief of Staff Kim's dedicated efforts are recognized as having made a significant contribution to the development of U.S.-South Korea relations. In particular, Chief of Staff Kim's persistent negotiating skills had a positive impact on resolving key issues between the two countries and are expected to continue to play an important role in the development of U.S.-South Korea relations in the future.
