Former White House insider Mulvaney says Trump isn’t about ‘give, give, give or take, take, take’ — Korea must think like a business partner
Seoul urged to offer win-win deals and lead with energy, not complaints
Former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney speaks during his virtual participation in the Korea Times-AMCHAM Forum at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, June 24. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Editor’s note
Winning over U.S. President Donald Trump appears crucial for Korea to secure the best outcome in the ongoing tariff negotiations. Few dispute that Trump is the architect of the U.S. tariff wars and that Washington’s trade stance often reflects his personal approach.
During a Korea Times forum co-hosted with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) in June, Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s former acting chief of staff, shared insights on how best to engage with the U.S. president.
We have edited and present here the key advice Mulvaney offered — guidance that seems even more relevant now, as Korean officials enter the final stretch of high-stakes tariff talks in Washington.
As U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies trade pressure on allies in his second term, South Korea finds itself walking a strategic tightrope. With tariffs back in the spotlight and demands mounting over defense cost-sharing, energy policy and industrial access, the question facing Seoul is no longer whether to engage, but how.
Mick Mulvaney, who served as Trump’s chief of staff and director of the Office of Management and Budget during his first administration, says Korea must adopt a “business-minded” approach if it wants to remain a trusted partner under the current U.S. leadership.
“Trump isn’t looking to give, give, give — or to take, take, take,” Mulvaney said. “He wants a give-and-take that produces a win-win situation.”
Don't just ask, offer something
One of the most common mistakes foreign governments make, according to Mulvaney, is treating U.S. negotiations like diplomatic appeals rather than business deals. He urged Korean policymakers and companies to stop approaching Washington with mere requests.
If any country wants Trump’s attention, it should offer something rather than just ask, according to Mulvaney. “He gets tired very quickly of countries coming in and asking for things. What he loves is a deal.”
He cited an example where a foreign delegation offered expanded health care access for U.S. retirees in return for favorable trade terms — a gesture that Trump, a businessman at heart, reportedly appreciated as a balanced offer.
Tariffs are leverage, not punishment
Mulvaney also defended Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiation tool. While some critics see them as punitive or protectionist, he said the goal is not to hurt partners like Korea but to strengthen the U.S. position in broader trade talks.
“The tariffs are there as negotiating leverage,” he said. “Trump wants to renegotiate trade deals with all our partners,” he said, adding that he wants those partners to benefit as well, so they will keep coming back to the table. Mulvaney emphasized that a win for Trump does not have to mean a loss for Korea, but it does require Seoul to play offense, not defense.
Energy is the fastest way to Washington’s heart
If there’s one area Korea should prioritize to deepen ties with the U.S., Mulvaney said, it’s energy. From liquefied natural gas exports to nuclear innovation, energy cooperation remains one of Trump’s core policy interests — and an area where he’s known to demand results.
“Energy is something Trump truly cares about,” Mulvaney said. “That means every Cabinet member cares too.”
Whether it’s modular nuclear reactors or traditional oil and gas projects, he suggested that joint Korea-U.S. energy ventures are “going to move to the head of the class.”
'Trilateral ties with Japan? Focus on the future, not the past'
On the sensitive topic of Korea-Japan relations, Mulvaney offered a glimpse into Trump’s mindset: less interested in historical grievances, more focused on alignment.
“Trump kept wondering: Why is this an impediment today?” he said. “He sees it as being in America’s best interest for friends to be friends with each other.”
While Trump prefers bilateral over multilateral deals, Mulvaney said he would likely support stronger trilateral ties, so long as they produce tangible results. “He still looks at the world like a businessman,” he said, adding that if you’re not a current associate, you should be a future one.
'Trump wants big wins, not vague intentions'
With the APEC summit in Seoul approaching in October, Mulvaney offered blunt advice on how to entice Trump into action: bring something headline-worthy.
“Trump likes big deals,” he said, pointing to Boeing sales, trade agreements, energy breakthroughs — anything that makes the front page.
He urged the Korean government to better leverage its partners — from SK and Korean Air to Boeing — as informal ambassadors who can advocate on its behalf.
“Trump listens to a lot of different sources,” Mulvaney said. “And the people you do business with can be some of your best advocates.”
This article is written by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.