As U.S. President Donald Trump visits Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju on the 29th, the possibility is being raised that he may visit major domestic shipyards.
According to the business community and the shipbuilding industry on the 26th, the leading candidates for Trump's visit include the domestic "big three" shipyards: ▲ HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan Shipyard ▲ Hanwha Ocean's Geoje business site ▲ Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje Shipyard.
Among them, the most likely destination is cited as Hanwha Ocean's Geoje Shipyard. Hanwha Group became a standard-bearer of "MASGA" (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) after acquiring Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. in Pennsylvania.
MASGA refers to a Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation project that emphasizes reviving the shipbuilding industry, inspired by Trump's "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) slogan.
In 1998, when Trump was chairman of the Trump Organization, he also visited Daewoo Heavy Industries' Okpo Shipyard (now Hanwha Ocean), toured a ship under construction, and placed an impromptu order for a private yacht. The industry is hopeful that this visit to Korea could again confirm his sustained interest in shipbuilding.
In addition, considering geographic proximity to the U.S.–Korea summit in Gyeongju, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan Shipyard is emerging as a strong candidate. The Ulsan Shipyard has a helipad and a VIP lounge, which is seen as positive because it allows a visit with minimal movement.
However, there is also an outlook that an actual visit may be physically difficult because Trump's 2 Days & 1 Night schedule is tightly packed.
After arriving on the 29th, Trump will hold a summit with President Lee Jae-myung, deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO luncheon, and attend the leaders' dinner. The next day, he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Accordingly, there were reports that U.S. Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick is considering visiting the shipyards instead. However, it is known that none of the three shipyards has yet received an official schedule notice.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Hanwha Ocean's Geoje business site in person after attending APEC. Attention is turning to potential cooperation related to the Canadian government's 60 trillion won submarine construction and maintenance program.
A shipbuilding industry official said, "If President Trump actually visits a shipyard, it would be a symbolic show of support for MASGA," adding, "We are leaving open the possibility of President Trump visiting a Korean shipyard and are closely watching the situation."