Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his fondness for South Korea on Friday, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Seoul and Washington to foster cooperation in shipbuilding. This development comes in the wake of Trump's previous dissatisfaction with South Korea's support for U.S. military operations against Iran.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump's remarks were made during a press availability at the White House, shortly after the MOU was signed. The agreement is part of a broader bilateral trade and investment strategy established last year. Responding to a question regarding his earlier social media post, Trump reiterated his admiration for South Korea, despite recent tensions. The post had alleged that Iran targeted a South Korean-operated cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim denied by Tehran. Trump's recent comments signal a shift in tone, as he had previously expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea and other allies for not providing naval assistance in reopening the strait.
Last month, Trump criticized South Korea for being "not helpful" to the U.S., despite the presence of American troops in the country, which he emphasized is geographically close to North Korea's nuclear force. He also commented on the recent incident involving the Korean-operated vessel, suggesting that it was attacked after opting to navigate the strait independently. Trump urged South Korea to participate in efforts to secure the shipping route, which has been disrupted by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
In a move towards enhancing bilateral cooperation, the MOU on shipbuilding was signed, with Seoul committing to rejuvenating the U.S. shipbuilding industry. As part of the trade agreement, South Korea has pledged to invest $150 billion in the U.S. shipbuilding sector, contributing to a total investment of $350 billion in the U.S., with an annual investment cap of $20 billion.