During a state visit to South Korea by then-U.S. president Donald Trump he was presented with the “Grand Order of Mugunghwa”. With this honor, he becomes the first U.S. president to be bestowed this highly prestigious designation. The ceremony occurred amidst a backdrop of direct diplomatic talks and bilateral economic negotiations between the two countries.
The original award was awarded to Trump for his role in fostering peace on the Korean Peninsula. Along with the accolade, he was awarded a replica gold crown, one of South Korea’s most ancient artistic traditions. At the signing ceremony, Trump was clearly excited by the prospect of that first bilateral meeting. He expressed optimism when he said he was “looking forward” to those discussions with President Lee.
In his speech, Trump focused heavily on the theme of economic security, explicitly stating at one point, “Economic security is national security.” This statement highlighted his administration’s belief that strong economic ties are crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Trump’s visit to South Korea follows a series of significant events, including his role in a recently brokered peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia. This accomplishment cemented Trump’s legacy as an unlikely player in international diplomacy during his presidency. His appointment didn’t help matters, arriving in a time of increasing tensions in the region. Right before his visit, North Korea test-fired a new type of surface-to-air cruise missiles.
During his remarks, Trump highlighted the robust and vital trade partnership between the United States and South Korea. He re-stated their intent to uphold agreements made back in February. When the tariff on some imported Chinese goods has budgeted down from 25% to 15%, for example. This consequential negotiation has enriched both countries’ economies tremendously. “We will see what we can do to get that all straightened out,” Trump remarked regarding ongoing trade discussions.
Later in the meeting, President Lee and Trump specifically talked about future, expected investments. South Korea can put down the $350 billion in investments into the U.S. economy that it promised. This is really an investment that involves $200 billion in cash. Moreover, it spends $150 billion in American shipbuilding projects, cementing the economic cooperation between the two countries.
Trump also conveyed optimism regarding negotiations with China, stating, “We’ve been talking a lot over the last month and I think we’re going to have something that’s gonna be very, very satisfactory to China and to us.” He will be meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping when both leaders attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. They will be called upon to have serious conversations about trade.
The Grand Order of Mugunghwa recognizes President Trump’s remarkable and unprecedented diplomacy. It further demonstrates the evolving power dynamics at play across the Asia-Pacific region. Just as today’s nations are forced to thread the needle between a competitive and collaborative geopolitical spheres, such diplomatic gestures are essential for nurturing goodwill and cooperation.