5-point lesson for Moon on Trump
These are the third and fourth in a series of suggestions and observations for new President Moon Jae-in. — ED.
After seven months of political chaos, Korea’s people power has demonstrated to the world the strength and unstoppable energy of democracy. The winners in the May 9 election should feel pride in their victory, but there is no shame for those candidates and their supporters who were not on the team with the most votes. They gratefully participated in a process that ensures a nation and its citizens can remain free and prosperous. Now, on to the business of governing!
One of the most important challenges facing new President Moon Jae-in is forging a healthy and strong relationship with America and the new Trump administration, which is still in transition.
As President Moon begins to focus on his initial summit with President Trump, I hope he will keep a few things in mind; 1) President Trump is a negotiator and 2) a patriot who puts America first, 3) he enjoys the media and uncertainty created by media attention and announcing his negotiating stance in advance through tweets and media interviews, 4) he likes to be perceived as important and the one in charge, which he is, and 5) like all good negotiators, he is very very flexible.
President Moon should approach America and President Trump as an equal and as a negotiator putting Korea first. President Trump will understand and respect such an approach and as we have seen with Xi Jinping, with the right persuasion, President Trump is willing and capable of changing his mind. He just needs to be given the right justifications. AMCHAM can be a valuable resource and channel for President Moon to develop and deliver these justifications.
President Moon should thank President Trump for sending Secretary Mattis, Secretary Tillerson and Vice President Pence so early on to confirm America’s commitment to the alliance with Korea and to improve economic ties. He should confirm with Trump his resolve to eliminate the nuclear threat from the North and openly discuss his strategy for meeting and dealing with Kim Jong-un.
After all, Trump has also said he is willing to meet Kim. Creating a Moon-Kim dialogue with the backing of Trump can be a positive development toward reaching a solution with the Kim regime and avoiding conflict. President Moon should further acknowledge the mutual gains to Korea and the U.S. from the KORUS FTA and show flexibility to improve the FTA so long as it is a win for Korea and a win for the U.S.
To be sure, Trump has said and tweeted things that have excited many Koreans and created a mood of uncertainty and to some extent antagonism. There is no need to be defensive or feel offended. President Moon should be confident he will walk away from his first summit with Trump as a friend of Donald Trump, who will respect the strength and resolve of President Moon, and with a common purpose and strategy with the U.S. to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula and a vibrant economic relationship.