Trump, South Korea Near $350B Investment Framework

President Trump ended the Asia leg of his tour in South Korea at the APEC summit, where hosts staged red-carpet pomp including a replica Silla gold crown and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa. Seoul and Washington said they had "pretty much" finalized a framework to spur roughly $350 billion in South Korean investment in the U.S., including commitments to cut auto tariffs and deepen cooperation in areas like shipbuilding, though no final signed deal has been announced. The visit is being framed as part of a broader China strategy, with a high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping planned in the region to address trade tensions and regional security concerns, including recent North Korean missile activity. The trip follows earlier regional agreements — including understandings with Japan on rare-earths and nuclear cooperation and deals in Malaysia — as the administration seeks to reshape trade ties in East Asia. Observers noted lavish staging for the visit, and back home many Americans face strain as SNAP benefits are set to expire, highlighting domestic pressures as the administration pursues overseas deals.