Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Brings Home More Billion Dollar Deals During State Visit to the Republic of Korea
10/29/2025
Action Summary
- Indo-Pacific Achievements: President Trump’s visit to the Republic of Korea culminated in securing landmark deals worth billions, reinforcing U.S. economic interests and global leadership.
- Aerospace & Defense Investments:
- Korean Air to purchase 103 new Boeing aircraft valued at $36.2 billion, along with GE Aerospace engines at $13.7 billion, supporting up to 135,000 American jobs.
- ROK Air Force awards a $2.3 billion contract to L3Harris Technologies for developing an Airborne Warning and Control aircraft, supporting over 6,000 jobs.
- Partnership between ReElement Technologies and POSCO International to establish a U.S.-based rare earth processing complex.
- Energy Dominance Initiatives:
- Korea Gas Corporation to secure long-term U.S. LNG deliveries of approximately 3.3 million tons/year.
- Agreements to expand Centrus Energy Corp’s uranium enrichment capacity in Ohio, creating 3,000 jobs.
- LS Group commits $3 billion investment by 2030 in U.S. power-grid infrastructure and related manufacturing developments.
- Technology & Innovation Advances:
- Signing of the U.S.-ROK Technology Prosperity Deal to expand cooperation in AI, 6G, biotech, quantum innovation, and research security.
- Amazon’s $5 billion investment through 2031 to build cloud infrastructure in Korea, bolstering U.S. AI leadership.
- NASA’s Artemis II mission involving lunar travel and deployment of a Korean satellite to measure space radiation.
- Joint commitment to stabilize and diversify the critical-mineral supply chain through public-private collaboration.
- Maritime Partnership Enhancements:
- HD Hyundai and Cerberus Capital Management to invest $5 billion in modernizing American shipyards and supply chains.
- Samsung Heavy Industries and Vigor Marine Group to focus on naval vessel maintenance, shipyard automation, and construction of U.S.-flagged vessels.
- Hanwha Ocean unveils a $5 billion infrastructure plan to expand shipyard capacity and strengthen the workforce in Pennsylvania.
- Reestablishing American Leadership: The visit reaffirmed the U.S.-ROK alliance, bolstering America’s prominence in the Indo-Pacific region and delivering tangible economic benefits back home.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order’s focus on securing international deals and investments may lead to increased competition for federal funding and resources, potentially impacting Vanderbilt University’s access to research grants and partnerships.
- With a strong emphasis on technology and AI, there may be a shift in federal priorities towards STEM fields, which could affect funding for humanities and social sciences programs at Vanderbilt.
- The expansion of U.S. energy and technology sectors could create opportunities for Vanderbilt to collaborate on research and development projects, but it may also require the university to adapt its curriculum and research focus to align with these national priorities.
- Vanderbilt’s international partnerships and collaborations may be influenced by the geopolitical dynamics and trade agreements resulting from these deals, necessitating strategic adjustments in its global engagement strategies.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt School of Engineering may see increased opportunities for collaboration and funding in areas related to AI, technology, and energy, aligning with national priorities.
- Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management could benefit from the focus on international trade and economic partnerships, providing case studies and research opportunities in global business strategies.
- The Office of International Affairs might need to navigate new international partnerships and collaborations, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic goals and compliance with federal policies.
- Programs focused on environmental and energy studies may need to adapt to the increased emphasis on energy dominance and sustainability initiatives.
Financial Impact
- The influx of international investments and partnerships could lead to new funding opportunities for Vanderbilt, particularly in technology and energy sectors.
- Changes in federal funding priorities may necessitate adjustments in Vanderbilt’s grant application strategies, particularly for programs outside of STEM fields.
- Vanderbilt may need to explore private and international funding sources to supplement potential shifts in federal support, ensuring the sustainability of its diverse academic programs.
- The university’s financial planning and budgeting processes may need to account for the potential impacts of these international deals on the broader economic landscape.
Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance or strategic adjustments in response to changing federal priorities.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore partnerships with companies involved in the technology and energy sectors, such as GE Aerospace and Centrus Energy Corp, to enhance research opportunities and student internships. This could provide students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies and energy solutions.
- The Office of Federal Relations should engage with federal agencies and industry leaders to understand the implications of the Technology Prosperity Deal, particularly in AI and quantum innovation. This engagement could position Vanderbilt as a key player in these emerging fields.
- Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management should consider developing executive education programs focused on international trade and investment strategies, leveraging the insights from the U.S.-ROK economic agreements to prepare business leaders for global market challenges.
- The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the geopolitical implications of the U.S.-ROK partnership and its impact on global trade dynamics. This research can inform policy discussions and enhance Vanderbilt’s role as a thought leader in international relations.
- Vanderbilt’s Peabody College could explore educational initiatives that focus on the economic and social impacts of technological advancements and energy dominance, preparing students to address the challenges and opportunities in these sectors.
Opportunities
- The executive actions present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization to engage with industry partners in the development and commercialization of AI and biotech innovations, potentially leading to new patents and startup ventures.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on maritime partnerships by developing programs in maritime engineering and logistics, aligning with the investments in U.S. shipyards and workforce development.
- The emphasis on critical-mineral supply chain diversification offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Department to engage in research and policy analysis, contributing to sustainable mining and refining practices.
- By hosting conferences and workshops on the implications of the U.S.-ROK economic agreements, Vanderbilt can position itself as a hub for dialogue and collaboration among academia, industry, and government stakeholders.
Relevance Score: 4 (The executive actions present significant opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in technology, energy, and international trade sectors, requiring major process changes to capitalize on these developments.)
Timeline for Implementation
- By 2030: LS Group pledged to invest $3 billion in U.S. power-grid infrastructure.
- Through 2031: Amazon will invest $5 billion to build the ROK’s cloud infrastructure.
Multiple deadlines are provided; the shortest being by 2030, which is well over 180 days from the fact sheet date.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- The White House: As the originator of the fact sheet and overseer of the President’s diplomatic and economic initiatives, the White House is central to this series of announcements.
- NASA: Highlighted by its role in the Artemis II mission and the associated deployment of a Korean satellite, NASA is directly impacted by the strategic technology and space exploration aspects of the deal.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 agencies are explicitly impacted by the information in the text.)
Responsible Officials
- N/A – The text is a fact sheet reporting business and diplomatic deals and does not specify any directives to be implemented by government officials.
Relevance Score: 1 (The text does not involve any official directives and is primarily informative in nature.)