President Donald Trump spoke before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEOs Luncheon on Wednesday, shortly after arriving in Gyeongju, South Korea.
Trump received an ovation after being introduced as the 45th and 47th Presidents of the United States. He was greeted with “Hail to the Chief” playing over the speaker system.
“I’m thrilled to be back with so many visionary innovators and titans of industry, the most brilliant in the world,” Trump began his address. “The business leaders here at APEC are really fantastic. I want to thank our hosts at this important summit, President Lee of South Korea.”
“The Republic of Korea is a cherished American friend and a close ally,” Trump added.
Trump then introduced members of his Cabinet who accompanied him on the trip: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and U.S. trade representative Jamison Greer.
The president then touted the improvements in the U.S. that have occurred since he began his second term. Stressing the economy, border security, and billions of dollars in investments into the U.S., Trump said the U.S. is “back” and the “hottest country” right now.
“As you know, APEC unites Pacific nations around our growing economies and promoting our shared interests, and today I come with exciting news from one of the largest Pacific nations … the United States of America,” Trump said. “I’m pleased to report to you that this afternoon, after four years of weakness, disaster, really decline, America is back and it’s back stronger than ever before. We’re doing numbers that nobody’s ever seen before.”
“We’re the hottest country in the world, actually,” Trump said. “And I say that with other countries represented, and they admit it. But I do say it very proudly.”
He then reiterated the progress the U.S. has made since the start of his second term, compared to the previous Biden administration.
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“One year ago, our country was in very, very serious trouble. Some people thought our country was dead. Now we’re literally sort of an inspiration to a lot of other countries. We are indeed, I use the term ‘hottest country,’ but we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world by far. The United States is blessed with the, right now, the strongest economy, the strongest borders — this all happened over the last nine months — the strongest military, the strongest friendships, and the strongest spirit of any nation on the face of the Earth. This is a golden age, in a short period of time.”
“I knew we could do it, I didn’t know we were going to do it this quickly, a little bit more than nine months,” Trump emphasized.
