Trump urges Korean investment in U.S. industry at APEC CEO Summit

GYEONGJU, South Korea — World leaders and business executives converged in the ancient city of Gyeongju this week for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit as U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a keynote at the APEC CEO Summit, met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines, and pushed for deeper Korean investment in U.S. industry amid intense security measures and ongoing trade negotiations. The events, held Wednesday and continuing through the weekend, drew hundreds of CEOs and heads of state to the Bomun Tourist Complex and the Hwabaek International Convention Center.

Trump gave a 43-minute address at the CEO summit in the morning, urging closer industrial and supply-chain cooperation with South Korea and describing the Republic of Korea as "a cherished American friend and a close ally." He tied trade policy to national security, saying "Economic security is national security," and emphasized U.S. efforts to rebuild domestic manufacturing in sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors and defense. Washington has urged Seoul to commit to direct investment of about $350 billion as part of a framework tariff agreement reached in July, officials said.