South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung has revealed that reading former U.S. President Donald Trump’s book The Art of the Deal helped him avoid an embarrassing “Zelenskyy moment” during his first state visit to Washington. Ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Trump, Lee’s aides feared the encounter might mirror the tense, public clash Trump had earlier this year with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
Determined to steer clear of confrontation, Lee studied Trump’s negotiation style and rhetoric as laid out in the book, which he credited with helping him stay composed and navigate the meeting smoothly. The strategy appeared to pay off, as the two leaders struck a cordial tone, focusing on security and trade cooperation while sidestepping the kind of heated exchanges that have defined some of Trump’s interactions with foreign leaders.
The summit exceeded expectations, with both sides hailing progress on strengthening U.S.–South Korea relations. Observers noted that Lee’s careful preparation allowed him to manage Trump’s unpredictability and project confidence on the global stage. His ability to avoid a diplomatic misstep was widely seen as a win for Seoul at a time of heightened regional and international challenges.