No amendments to the trade deal between the two countries were announced, but President Trump said they were “very close” to a deal.
President Trump dances with performers after arriving in Malaysia
President Donald Trump danced and pumped his fist in front of Malaysian performers as he welcomed Malaysia as the first stop on his Asian tour.
South Korea is keeping an eye on President Donald Trump’s interest in gold.
On October 29, President Trump received a replica of the ancient Korean gold crown and a gold medal representing the nation’s highest honor from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung during the final leg of his Asian tour, which included stops in Malaysia and Japan.
Immediately after President Trump delivered the keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum held in Gyeongju, the two leaders headed to the National Museum, where President Trump was presented with the medal.
President Trump was told through an interpreter, “The crown is an important relic that symbolizes the Silla Dynasty.” The Silla Dynasty lasted from 57 BC to 935 AD
The “largest and most luxurious” crown from the Silla Dynasty “represents the sacred connection between heavenly authority and earthly sovereignty, as well as powerful leadership,” the interpreter explained.
Trump was praised as a “peace builder” on the Korean peninsula and was awarded the country’s highest award, the Order of Mugunghwa. Mugunghwa is the national flower of Korea and is a pink hibiscus.
Looking at the medallion in its case, Trump joked, “I want to wear it right now.”
“It’s a great honor,” he said. “We have a very great relationship that will continue and grow even stronger.”
However, no amendments to the trade deal between the two countries were announced, although President Trump said they were “very close” to a deal.
On July 30, the two allies announced a deal in which South Korea would receive a 15% tariff cut in exchange for $350 billion in new investment in the United States.
“The deal is that South Korea will give the United States $350 billion for investments that are owned and controlled by the United States and selected by me as President,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
On October 30th, President Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning to Washington, DC.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent. You can follow her at X @SwapnaVenugopal.
