President Trump on Sunday said the U.S. welcomes foreign experts to train Americans how to build high-tech goods, days after hundreds of arrested South Korean workers left the country.
On Sunday, South Korean media reported that Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau had visited the country and “conveyed his deep regrets” for the arrests.
Driving the news: In a lengthy Truth Social post Sunday afternoon, Trump seemed to open the door to foreign workers coming in for training.
For the record: “Any foreign workers brought in for specific projects must enter the United States legally and with proper work authorizations.
What to watch: Whether the departed South Korean workers return to finish the now-delayed plant, and whether Trump’s statement thaws the suddenly icy relations with a crucial partner.
On Sunday, President Trump said the U.S. S. . Days after hundreds of South Korean workers who had been arrested fled the country, the country welcomes foreign experts to teach Americans how to build high-tech goods.
Why it matters: It seems that the administration’s economic objectives are winning out over the conflict between its immigration and economic policies.
One of the most crucial U.S. A. partnerships throughout Asia, and jeopardize investment pledges worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Catch up soon: September. 4. ICE raided a joint venture between South Korea’s Hyundai and LG that was building an electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia.
There was a national outcry in South Korea after hundreds of workers were detained, shackled, and taken to detention. Eventually, a plane was dispatched by Seoul officials to collect and return those employees.
According to South Korean media on Sunday, Christopher Landau, the deputy secretary of state, visited the nation and “conveyed his deep regrets” for the arrests.
Days earlier, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told “The Axios Show” that Hyundai should have contacted him for assistance because the workers lacked the proper visas.
Driving the news: Trump appeared to welcome the arrival of foreign workers for training in a long Truth Social post on Sunday afternoon.
Trump stated, “When foreign companies that are building very complex products, machines, and various other ‘things,’ come into the United States with massive investments, I want them to bring their people of expertise for a period of time to teach and train our people how to make these very unique and complex products” before departing.
Chips, semiconductors, computers, ships, trains, and a host of other items that we must learn from others to make—or, in many cases, relearn because we were once very good at it but are no longer—would never have been made if we hadn’t taken this enormous investment. “..”.
Overall, Trump’s post is an honest admission that the U.S. S. . lacks the skills necessary to produce a large number of the goods that are the focus of the administration’s efforts to attract foreign investment.
Hyundai alone is expected to spend $26 billion in the United States. S. . President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea recently warned that the raid could discourage investment in the United States, which is building auto and battery plants. S.
The nation’s trade agreement with the United States. S. additionally demands investments totaling hundreds of billions of dollars, some of which were intended to restore the U.S. S. . the shipbuilding sector.
For the sake of documentation: “Any foreign employees hired for particular projects must have valid work permits and be able to enter the country lawfully. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement that President Trump will keep up his pledge to enforce federal immigration laws and make the United States the greatest place in the world to do business.
The intrigue The raids were not supposed to deter foreign companies from expanding in the United States, according to American officials. S. . However, Trump appeared to recognize the danger on Sunday.
“I don’t want to scare off or discourage foreign nations or businesses from investing in America. We are happy to welcome them and their staff, and we’re confident that we’ll pick up tips from them and surpass them in their own “game” at some point in the not-too-distant future,” he wrote.
What to watch: if Trump’s remarks soften the suddenly strained ties with a vital ally, and if the departing South Korean workers return to complete the now-delayed plant.
White House comment has been added to this story. ).
