Chapter 46: That Time I Had a Summit in South America. (2)

TL: Skye

One fine, sunny day.

THOOM-!

Air Force One touched down on the runway of San Marcos International Airport with a thunderous roar.

Moments later, the boarding stairs were connected and the door swung open, revealing a hulking figure wearing his signature red tie.

The 45th President of the United States, Donald Drump. The most powerful man on the planet appeared at the top of the stairs, waving to the crowd below.

BA-BA-BA-BOOM! BA-BA-BA-BOOM!

He strode down the steps to the sound of a twenty-one-gun salute fired in honor of the visiting head of state.

"Oh! Yu-jin!"

Drump spotted Yu-jin waiting at the bottom of the stairs and approached with both arms spread wide.

He seized Yu-jin's hand in a crushing grip and pumped it vigorously up and down.

The infamous handshake, seen countless times on TV. It was his signature move for asserting dominance over the other party, but Yu-jin didn't flinch. He braced his core and held firm.

"Hm...?"

Drump looked momentarily thrown off.

"Welcome to San Marcos, from the bottom of my heart. The greatest of all time (GOAT) President."

Yu-jin delivered the line he'd been rehearsing for the past two days.

"GOAT...?"

Caught off guard by the preemptive flattery, Drump let out a flustered cough.

"Ahem, hrm. Well, I wouldn't go that far."

"Right this way, sir."

"The weather's fantastic. Feels like Florida. Reminds me of Mar-a-Lago, where I have my estate."

"It seems even the heavens are welcoming your visit to San Marcos, Mr. President."

"Ahem."

Drump was flustered. He had met dozens of world leaders over the course of two presidential terms, but he had never encountered flattery this brazen.

Most leaders prioritized their dignity, but this young head of state didn't seem to spare a single thought for such things.

'Should I push him a little?'

Drump was about to apply his usual pressure on someone showing such deference, but...

"Mr. President, if you wouldn't mind, might I trouble you for an autograph on this?"

Yu-jin beat him to the punch, producing a book and holding it out.

Drump's eyes went wide when he read the title.

"Isn't this The Art of the Deal? My book?"

"Yes, sir. It's been a guiding light in my life. It's no exaggeration to say I owe my entire career to this book."

The pages were crammed with underlines (all hastily drawn in by Anna the night before, of course), and having the book shoved in his face like that left Drump completely off-balance.

"Really? Ahaha, well, I'm glad it helped! You know, this book captures the experiences of my entire life..."

"I could tell, absolutely. Just from reading the book alone..."

In the end, the two climbed into the Beast, the White House's armored limousine that had been transported to San Marcos in advance, the atmosphere between them warm and convivial.

Vroooom-

Once they left the airport and entered the city, crowds of citizens lined the roadsides as far as the eye could see.

WAAAAAH-!

The citizens erupted in cheers as the vehicle passed. Drump rolled down the window and waved, then turned his head.

"Did you mobilize these people?"

"Of course not. They all came out voluntarily."

"Voluntarily?"

That was when it happened.

[Viva Yu-jin! Viva San Marcos!]

Cheers for Yu-jin poured in from outside.

"Your people seem to like you quite a bit."

"Somewhat, yes."

Yu-jin answered nonchalantly, and Drump pressed further.

"Is that so? Hm... What's your approval rating?"

"According to a recent survey by the national public broadcaster, it came in at 99.8%."

At that unimaginable number, Drump's thick blond eyebrows twitched.

"...99.8%?"

Could such an approval rating even exist?

He could hardly believe it, but Yu-jin said with a straight face:

"Yes. The way I see it, that means I'm still 0.2% short. I'm working hard to reach 100%."

"......"

After a brief silence, Drump cleared his throat and spoke.

"Ahem. The truth is, the reason I came here was to show my appreciation to the San Marcos-American community that made substantial donations to the Republican Party."

"Show appreciation? Nonsense. Every one of them donated from the goodness of their hearts, I'm sure."

"No, no. I had no idea the San Marcos community was so passionate."

Drump's voice rose.

"They're true patriots. They understood Republican values and threw their full support behind me. Thanks to them, we headed into the midterms with the biggest war chest in history."

"As I said, sir, our compatriots in America simply recognized your greatness. That's all."

At Yu-jin's humble reply, Drump burst out laughing and slapped his knee.

"Hahaha! Well, hearing you say that puts me in a great mood. So, I hear San Marcos has been purchasing U.S. Government Bonds?"

"Sharing the gains is what makes a true alliance. I didn't think a one-sided arrangement where only one party profits could ever constitute a real partnership."

The U.S. and San Marcos hadn't even established embassies in each other's countries, yet Yu-jin invoked the word "alliance" without batting an eye.

Drump didn't seem to mind either, nodding along and clapping his hands.

"Smart. Very smart. I think you might be the sharpest leader I've ever met. A young man who understands the essence of diplomacy. I like that. I like that a lot."

In truth, Drump hadn't come to San Marcos with high expectations.

And who could blame him? To the world's greatest superpower, San Marcos was a nothing country.

Oil fields? Sure, they were tempting, but oil fields were a dime a dozen on American soil.

Terrorism? The perpetrators had already been handed over and adequate reparations were settled.

The only reason he'd come at all was to secure ongoing support and donations from San Marcos-Americans.

That was all he'd been hoping for, and yet...

"I like him! I really like him!"

Drump was thoroughly charmed.

"When I was young and living in Korea, my dream was to live in Drump Tower on Yeouido."

"Korea? You're from Korea?"

"...I'm clearly Asian, sir."

"Right. You were so natural about it I hadn't even noticed."

Yu-jin responded matter-of-factly to Drump's complete lack of preconceptions.

"Born and raised in Korea, 100% Korean. Even served in the military."

"I knew there was something extraordinary about you. Turns out you're from an allied nation's armed forces."

"The truth is, I even got my MBA in America because I wanted to become a great businessman like you, Mr. President. I just happened to end up in politics somewhere along the way."

"Is that so? Ahahahaha!"

With his silver tongue, Yu-jin had wrapped up the charm offensive in record time. After they moved to the Presidential Palace for the Summit that followed, Drump found himself even more astounded.

"Unlike Mexico, San Marcos has virtually zero illegal immigrants in the U.S. Is there a particular reason for that?"

"I'd imagine it's because the ocean stands in the way, making it impossible to cross."

"Couldn't they take boats? Usually, illegal smuggling is a gang's primary revenue stream."

"There are no gangs in San Marcos."

"No gangs? How is that even possible?"

"By special decree, they were all sent to Collective Farms. They're healing their souls through atonement in the embrace of Mother Nature."

"......"

Drump fiddled with his tie and let out a dry cough.

He was considered the most hardline president in American history, but even he had never imagined a solution like collective farms.

"...I wish the president of Mexico were more like you."

Drump wore an expression of genuine irritation.

And Yu-jin didn't let this opening slip by.

"If illegal immigrants in the U.S. are giving you headaches, I believe I could be of assistance."

"Oh?"

"They went to America because they needed jobs, didn't they? San Marcos has few people and vast land, so we're in dire need of labor. Just send them our way, and I'll arrange positions for them on the farms."

Of course, Yu-jin said this because he needed the labor force, but Drump interpreted it differently.

'This guy is the real deal...!'

Looking at Yu-jin, he was reminded of Joseph Stalin from the old Cold War era.

After a moment of silence, Drump shook his head and broke into a hearty laugh.

"Ahahahaha! I really like you. You've got guts, and I respect that! You understand business. I can never get through to regular politicians, but with you, there's a real connection."

"You flatter me, sir."

Now it was time to land the finishing blow. Yu-jin allowed himself a knowing smile and spoke.

"On that note, I have one favor to ask."

"Name it. I'll grant anything. You want weapons? F-35s? Patriot missiles? Tell me what you want. I'll sell you everything short of nuclear weapons."

"Rather than that... I'd like to dedicate the name of the recently discovered northern oil field to you, sir."

Drump's eyes went round.

"Dedicate the name?"

"Yes. I'd like to name it Drump Field. Please, grant me this honor."

"Wh, what?!"

Drump's jaw dropped. An oil field bearing his name... this was something he had truly never imagined.

"The oil field that's been developed is nothing short of San Marcos's hope for the future. If Mr. President's name were attached to it, the people of San Marcos and San Marcos-Americans alike would remember you for generations to come."

After staring blankly for a moment, Drump, overcome with emotion, thwacked Yu-jin on the shoulder.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Drump Field! What a magnificent name! You have my blessing!"

And it didn't even stop there.

"Do you see that coastline over there? It boasts pristine, world-class scenery, yet it sits completely empty. If this were Florida or California, it would already be packed with resorts and hotels."

After lunch, as Drump stood in the gardens of the Presidential Palace gazing out at the coastline of Libertad, unable to contain his admiration...

"If Mr. President is interested, I'll provide the finest parcel of land, free of charge, on a hundred-year lease."

Yu-jin offered him an enormous concession.

In the end, having been completely won over, Drump stood before the Presidential Palace of San Marcos with a dazed expression and delivered a bombshell press conference.

"San Marcos is a nation of extraordinary potential. President Yu-jin and I have had extensive discussions, and we are ready to share a vision between our two nations. Upon my return to the United States, I will review adding San Marcos to the USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada) trade agreement, and independently of that review, I will ensure San Marcos receives the same Tariff Rate as the member nations of the agreement."

And so, the Summit between the United States and San Marcos came to a close.

Years later, political scholars around the world would assess this Summit.

They called it the cheapest anyone had ever neutralized Drump's bullying at the negotiating table.

And the Drump Group's casino, hotel, and resort developed during this period? Ten years later, they were seized by the San Marcos government on charges of tax evasion.

*****

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