Tom Howell, Jr. | September 8, 2025

(The Washington Times) — President Trump is urging foreign nations to hire and train American workers when they set up shop in the U.S.

He issued the reminder on Truth Social after a massive immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG plant in Georgia that resulted in the detention of 450 workers. The majority were South Koreans, sparking diplomatic talks between the nations.

The situation spoke directly to a pair of Mr. Trump’s major initiatives — spurring foreign investments in America and strictly enforcing immigration laws.

“Your Investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people, with great technical talent, to build World Class products, and we will make it quickly and legally possible for you to do so,” Mr. Trump wrote late Sunday. “What we ask in return is that you hire and train American Workers.”

Mr. Trump says his aggressive use of tariffs is spurring foreign companies to open plants in America. For instance, some German automakers are ramping up production at plants in the U.S. South, alongside massive investments in America from countries like Japan and South Korea as part of recent trade deals.

He’s also pointed to hefty U.S. investments by American tech companies such as Apple, saying his economic policies will keep them from going overseas.

At the same time, he’s sealed off the southern U.S. border and launched sweeping enforcement actions through Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

South Korean and U.S. officials agreed to the voluntary departure of many of the workers netted in the recent raid, so they wouldn’t face thorny deportation proceedings and longer reentry bans.

“Together, we will all work hard to make our Nation not only productive, but closer in unity than ever before,” Mr. Trump wrote.