Trump Asks South Korea If It Can Rapidly Build 10 US Navy Warships Amid Global Naval Expansion

The United States has asked South Korea whether it could quickly build 10 U.S. Navy warships, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Friday, as Washington moves ahead with plans to expand its fleet to 364 ships by 2054.

Lee said U.S. President Donald Trump raised the question during meetings on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit. He said he responded that it would be “absolutely possible” given South Korea’s shipbuilding capacity.

The discussions show that the US wants to use allied shipyards to support its long-term naval expansion as demand for warships increases worldwide.

Lee made the remarks during a briefing in Seoul on June 19 after returning from a European tour and the G7 summit, where he held several meetings with world leaders.

He said talks with Trump also covered shipbuilding cooperation, security coordination between South Korea, the United States and Japan, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The two leaders met multiple times, including during an official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, where they spoke at length while seated together.

Lee said Trump showed continued interest in the Korean Peninsula, while Lee asked him to support efforts to reduce tensions and promote long-term peace in the region.

Separately, Lee said he discussed broader issues at the G7, including global energy supply chains, artificial intelligence, and trade. He called for stronger international cooperation on energy security and said AI development should be balanced with stability, transparency and accountability.

He also said South Korea plans to work with Asia-Pacific energy-importing countries to strengthen supply chains, especially as expectations grow around easing tensions in the Middle East.

On trade, Lee raised concerns about the European Union’s new steel tariff quota system, which is due to take effect on July 1. He urged the EU to avoid creating trade barriers and asked for special consideration for South Korea as a free trade partner.

During his visit to Italy, Lee said both countries upgraded their relationship to a “special strategic partnership” and signed five agreements covering areas including small and medium businesses, technology, culture and development cooperation.

He said several issues affecting Korean companies and citizens in Italy were also resolved through discussions with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

At the Vatican, Lee met Pope Leo XIV and invited him to visit South Korea for World Youth Day next year. He also asked the Pope to consider visiting the Demilitarized Zone or even North Korea. Lee said the Pope responded that he would consider the request.

Lee also held meetings with Canadian, German and Kenyan leaders on the sidelines of the G7, covering topics including energy supply chains, defence cooperation and investment ties.

References: asiae, globalnewstop