Hyundai Motor Group invited Fred Fleitz, deputy director of the Center for Security Policy (AFPI) who arrived in Korea to prepare for the “Trump risk.” Fleitz is known as a close associate of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
During his visit, Fleitz is reported to be meeting only with Hyundai Motor Group among domestic companies.
According to industry sources on the 8th, Fleitz visited the Hyundai Motor Group headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the day after arriving in Korea.
The visit was arranged by an invitation from the group’s overseas cooperation organization led by Vice Chairman Kim Il-bum. Fleitz held a meeting with employees in charge of overseas affairs and reportedly had discussions with senior executives related to overseas affairs.
They exchanged opinions on the outlook for the U.S. presidential election in November and future global trade and investment environments.
In anticipation of a potential re-election of former President Trump, Hyundai Motor Group has been increasing contacts with influential figures. In March, they also held a meeting with Jamie Greer, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Trade Representatives Office (USTR), who is speculated to play a key role in U.S. trade policy under a potential Trump administration.
Former President Trump advocates for protection of traditional U.S. industries and easing regulations on fossil fuel industries such as oil, coal, and natural gas. This stance could potentially impact Hyundai Motor Group, which is actively pursuing electrification and establishing electric vehicle production facilities in the U.S. There are concerns that under a Trump administration, Korea could be included in the list of countries subject to universal tariffs, adding to the growing tensions.
On the other hand, Fleitz is scheduled to stay in Korea until the 10th and meet with domestic think tanks, academia, and others. He previously served as Chief of Staff to John Bolton, National Security Adviser during the first Trump administration.