President Donald Trump said at a South Korea–U.S. summit held on the sidelines of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in Gyeongju on the 29th that he would "continue to talk with South Korea," adding, "There are still clouds left, but they will clear before long." As $350 billion investment talks in the United States drag on, he suggested that common ground could soon be found on core issues such as investment method and timeline. In contrast, the Korean government is advancing a cautious view, saying there is still a stalemate on key issues, underscoring a stark temperature gap between the two countries.
Arriving via Gimhae International Airport that day, President Trump traveled to Gyeongju National Museum to meet President Lee. It was their first reunion in about two months since the South Korea–U.S. summit at the end of Aug. Citing Toyota Motor's $10 billion investment in the United States, Trump said, "Toyota has decided to build several car plants in the United States and will employ many Americans," adding, "Many other industries are returning. By the end of my term, $21 trillion to $22 trillion will be invested in the United States. This is a record high."
He specifically mentioned Minister Marco Rubio and said he has performed the dual roles of "offense" and "defense" well. Earlier that morning in a speech at the APEC chief executive officer (CEO) summit, President Trump said, "Minister Marco Rubio understands markets better than anyone," and went on to mention Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and USTR Representative Jamieson Greer. He added, "They have done very well in (trade) negotiations. They are outstanding negotiators." With wide gaps between South Korea and the United States, he publicly praised his own negotiating team.
Trump's remarks came right after the U.S. and Japanese leaders met and pledged a "golden age of the U.S.-Japan alliance." Meeting new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump declared a no-reconsideration stance on the tariff-cut agreement concluded under former Shigeru Ishiba's administration on the premise of "$550 billion investment in the United States and opening the auto and rice markets," saying he "hoped it would be implemented without changes." As South Korea–U.S. tariff negotiations struggle over the equity investment ratio and installment payment issues, this can be read as political pressure urging a decision by the Korean government.