Biden kicks off Asia trip lauding tech cooperation with South Korea

President Biden touched down in South Korea on Friday in the first visit to Asia of his presidency, kicking off a five-day tour designed to underscore his administration’s diplomatic and economic commitment to the region in the face of a rising China.

Biden’s first remarks here nodded to a top domestic priority for the administration, calling for passage of a sweeping bill in Congress meant to boost U.S. competitiveness against China that House and Senate negotiators are scrambling to finalize.

The president also promoted the two nations’ close ties, particularly on jobs, as he and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took turns promoting the advancements in technology illustrated by the Samsung facility that served as Biden’s first official stop on the trip.

“Our two nations work together to make the best, most advanced technology in the world, and this factory is proof of that,” Biden said to a crowd of 200 people at the plant, located about an hour south of Seoul. “That gives both the Republic of Korea and the United States a competitive edge in the global economy if we can keep our supply chains resilient, reliable and secure.”

Biden’s speech comes as his administration is struggling with the economic and political impact of rising inflation in the United States, with Biden making the case that the legislation designed to boost competitiveness against China will ultimately strengthen supply chains and lower costs for consumers.