Korea Pitches Multibillion-Dollar "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" As US Tariff Deadline Looms

South Korea faces an August 1st deadline to finalize a trade agreement with the US, or risk a 25% tariff. Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will meet with US officials to discuss the matter. South Korea is reportedly preparing a significant proposal, possibly a multibillion-dollar project called MASGA, to avoid the tariffs. This initiative focuses on the shipbuilding sector, an area of strong US interest. South Korea possesses the technical expertise and experience to help modernize American shipyards, a key priority for the Trump administration. The US has long sought to revive its shipbuilding capacity, which has been hampered by neglect. South Korean conglomerates are already increasing investments and partnerships with American companies in this sector. An executive order highlighted the decline of the US industrial base and its impact on national security. South Korea's shipbuilding capabilities are seen as valuable leverage in these trade talks. The MASGA project aligns with Trump's America First agenda and aims to revitalize a domestic industry.