U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., on the 23rd (local time). [Yonhap News] 

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urged for tangible results during the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center on the 23rd (local time), a project launched to kick off the "MASGA" shipbuilding collaboration, emphasizing that the actual output of vessels is what matters most.

At the opening ceremony held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., Secretary Lutnick stated, "The center is not the end product," adding, "The most important task is to produce results in terms of how many ships will be built."

He further added, "Talking is not a thing."

Secretary Lutnick remarked, "Realistically, building ships in the United States is more important than anything else," and continued, "It is not about talking about building ships in the U.S. or holding meetings regarding it; it is about actually building them here."

He noted that President Donald Trump is committed to restoring America’s status as a world-class shipbuilding powerhouse, stating, "We must develop American shipbuilding steel workers and producers and build a resilient domestic supply chain."

In addition, he emphasized, "We must build all types of naval and commercial vessels within the United States."

Secretary Lutnick stated, "We will not evaluate this center based on how many meetings you hold, how many memorandums of understanding (MOUs) you sign, or how many cocktail parties you host."

"Instead, we will evaluate this center based on simple metrics: the capital you have invested, the facilities you have modernized, the workers you have trained, the supply chains you have built, and ultimately, the number of ships produced in the U.S. through Korea-U.S. cooperation," he said. "This is the standard set by President Trump."

Regarding the commitment that Korea would allocate $150 billion out of a $350 billion investment package toward shipbuilding cooperation, Secretary Lutnick said it "carries more meaning than just a simple number," adding, "It is an opportunity to participate in the most important industrial revival in the world and the resurgence of the U.S. shipbuilding industry."

Secretary Lutnick also expressed the U.S. government's commitment to support, stating, "We are dedicated to removing barriers that hinder production."

Addressing the South Korean government and business officials in attendance, he said, "If you encounter obstacles while expanding your business, or if you feel that the environment is not entirely welcoming, please contact the Department of Commerce," adding, "We will remove regulatory hurdles so that you can conduct your business in the United States."