SEOUL. SOUTH KOREA Oct 29, 2025 – In a high-profile appearance at the 2025 APEC CEO Summit, U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivered an optimistic address emphasizing international collaboration to tackle longstanding global challenges, drawing applause from business leaders and dignitaries gathered in the South Korean capital.
Speaking against the backdrop of the summit’s vibrant blue-and-gold stage, flanked by American and South Korean flags, Trump highlighted the enduring partnership between the United States and its allies. “Together we’re solving the challenges that no one before has ever been able to solve,” he declared, according to a White House statement released on social media. “From San Francisco to Seoul… we’re strengthening old friendships, forging new bonds… & creating a dramatically better world for our children & generations to come.”
The event, hosted in Seoul as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s annual CEO gathering, brings together top executives from across the 21 member economies to discuss trade, innovation, and sustainable growth amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Trump’s participation marks a key moment in his administration’s early foreign policy push, focusing on revitalizing economic ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
Attendees, including CEOs from tech giants, manufacturing firms, and financial institutions, praised the president’s remarks for their forward-looking tone. “This is a call to action for real partnerships, not just rhetoric,” said one anonymous U.S. executive present at the summit. The speech comes as APEC nations grapple with supply chain disruptions, climate initiatives, and digital economy expansion—issues Trump has long championed through his “America First” lens adapted for multilateral engagement.
The White House shared a striking image of Trump at the podium, the presidential seal gleaming under the summit’s LED lights, underscoring the visual symbolism of U.S. leadership on the global stage. The post quickly garnered thousands of views and positive reactions online, with supporters hailing it as a “masterclass in diplomacy.”
This visit to South Korea is part of a broader Asia tour for Trump, who assumed office earlier this year promising a “Golden Age of America.” Analysts note that strengthening alliances like the U.S.-South Korea pact could counterbalance rising influences from China and Russia, while boosting American exports in semiconductors and clean energy—sectors where Seoul is a vital partner.
As the summit continues through the week, eyes will be on potential bilateral deals emerging from side meetings. For now, Trump’s words in Seoul echo a theme of unity: in a divided world, old friends and new bonds may just pave the way for progress.
