Trump's Second Term Becomes a Reality, Global Order in Reshaping

Having proposed a series of scenarios surrounding both the continuation of the Biden administration and the potential return of Trump to the White House in the lead-up to last year's U.S. presidential election, K.E.Y. PLATFORM now undertakes a meticulous examination of the reality of Trump's second term, providing a comprehensive analysis of South Korea's strategic response.

Since assuming office, President Trump has made a series of provocative statements and initiated policies that have sparked significant controversy: the annexation of Greenland, the reclamation of the Panama Canal, the incorporation of Canada as the 51st state, and the acquisition of Gaza―each of which, though potentially plausible, remains shocking in its own right.

Immediately following the U.S. presidential election, K.E.Y. PLATFORM 2025 assembled a dedicated reporting team to undertake an in-depth analysis of the anticipated shifts in security, diplomacy, economics, industry, and other aspects under Trump's second term. Collaborating with a diverse array of experts in Washington, D.C.―including members of Congress, lobbying firms, and think tanks―we carefully examined U.S. policy trajectories and the broader implications of President Trump's public statements. The insights and findings from our coverage and analysis will serve as the central themes of K.E.Y. PLATFORM, where renowned global experts will gather to offer a firsthand perspective of the dynamics shaping the heart of America's main street.

Solidifying South Korea's Position Amid the Global AI Hegemony Competition

President Trump has taken a resolute stance against China on matters such as trade deficits, the fentanyl crisis, and privacy concerns, putting forth a series of policies to confront these pressing challenges.

Beyond these issues, one additional area where Trump's second term will find itself in direct confrontation with China is artificial intelligence (AI). In the years ahead, global dominance will be defined by the nation with the most advanced AI capabilities, which is why the U.S. and China, the G2 powers, are competing for supremacy in this domain. The intense rivalry between the two nations is evident in the launch of ChatGPT by the U.S. via OpenAI, to which China responded with its own counteroffensive, DeepSeek.

Korea, too, must secure its own AI competitiveness in order to preserve its standing as a leading nation within the global community. While many challenge Korea's ability to secure fundamental AI technologies on par with those of the U.S. and China, primarily due to disparities in data, experts contend that Korea has the potential not only to develop AI that is both more cost-effective and higher-performing, as demonstrated by DeepSeek, but also differentiate itself by a distinct competitive advantage in the development of innovative AI-driven applications and services. In sectors where Korea already holds global competitiveness―such as biotechnology, entertainment, and manufacturing―the application of AI can further solidify its position as a global leader.