Korea’s new trade chief vows to manage U.S. risks

Korea's new chief trade negotiator has vowed to make an all-out effort to manage risks in the country's trade ties with Washington as the global order undergoes a major transition, the trade ministry said Monday.

In his inaugural address, Trade Minister Park Jung-sung said tariffs, subsidies, industrial policies, supply chain alliances and export controls are emerging as key tools for shaping the global trade order, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

His appointment comes as the two countries negotiate their first investment project under Korea's $350 billion investment commitment made last year as part of a trade deal with the United States.

"The tariff restructuring initiated by the U.S. and its push to localize strategic industries are making strategic competition between the U.S. and China a permanent feature of the global trade landscape," Park said.

"Implementing strategic investment projects between Seoul and Washington has emerged as the biggest challenge and, at the same time, the biggest opportunity in bilateral relations."

The minister also said the country's trade policy should create the space for irreplaceable industries, such as semiconductors, nuclear power and shipbuilding, to strengthen their positions within global supply chains, while securing technologies that are difficult to replace.

The government must also foster new industries with strong growth potential in global markets, including Korean cultural content, consumer goods and industries incorporating AI, he said.

Driven by the strength of such critical industries, Korea is seeing rapid growth in annual exports, with the total rising from around $700 billion and heading toward $1 trillion, the ministry said.

"We must not forget the economic security reality that countries with irreplaceable industries are chosen, while countries with only replaceable industries are forced to make tough choices," he added.

Yonhap