South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Ahn Deok Geun, is set to visit the United States on Wednesday to address escalating U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump’s second administration. This marks the first U.S. visit by a South Korean minister since the new administration took office. Ahn plans to urge the U.S. government to minimize the impact on South Korea, particularly regarding the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum and requests for reciprocal tariff exemptions.
This visit marks the first high-level discussions on industry, trade, and energy between the two countries under Trump’s second term. Attention is focused on whether South Korea’s negotiation strategies, such as expanding energy imports and strengthening shipbuilding cooperation, will help ease the tariff conflict.
First High-Level Industry, Trade, and Energy Talks with Trump’s Second Administration—South Korea’s Response to Tariffs Takes Shape
According to the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Ahn will visit Washington, D.C., for three days starting Wednesday. During his visit, he is expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
While the meeting with Wright is nearly confirmed, the meeting with Lutnick remains unconfirmed. The ministry also coordinates meetings with senior trade officials from the White House National Economic Council (NEC) and other key figures.
Ahn’s visit is significant as it represents the first ministerial-level discussions on industry, trade, and energy between South Korea and the U.S. under the new administration. Due to South Korea’s interim leadership, a summit-level meeting is unlikely, so this high-level dialogue is the starting point for tariff negotiations.
During his meetings, Ahn plans to assess U.S. policy trends, present South Korea’s position, and explore avenues for bilateral cooperation. He will emphasize South Korea’s role as a crucial partner in manufacturing and high-tech industries, particularly steel, automobiles, and semiconductors, and advocate for tariff exemptions.
One of South Korea’s main strategies is to offer to increase energy imports from the U.S., With the U.S. continuing to push for trade balance adjustments through reciprocal trade policies. South Korea is considering energy imports as a counterproposal. Other countries are also exploring increased LNG imports to respond to U.S. tariffs.
Countries worldwide are considering increasing LNG imports to counter the tariff war. Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed with President Trump to reinstate the U.S. as India’s primary oil and gas supplier, aiming to offset trade deficits through energy purchases. Japan has also proposed boosting LNG imports and collaborating on Alaskan natural gas development during U.S.-Japan summit talks.
The South Korean government is also considering participation in the Alaska development project to appeal to Trump. Since his campaign, Trump has emphasized LNG as a key U.S. export alongside crude oil. If South Korea joins the project, it could help reduce the estimated $45 billion cost, making it a valuable negotiation tool.
$1 Billion U.S. Investment Request on the Table—South Korea to Highlight Economic Contributions
Another key topic will be South Korean investment in the U.S. Secretary Lutnick recently urged a South Korean economic delegation to invest at least $1 billion in the U.S. In response, Ahn will highlight how South Korean companies have substantially contributed to the U.S. economy.
For instance, Hyundai Motor Group has invested approximately $20 billion in Alabama, Georgia, its Meta Plant production facilities, and R&D centers, creating 570,000 jobs. Additionally, the battery industry plans to invest $51.2 billion by 2027.
Meanwhile, some experts suggest that South Korea employ a delay strategy in negotiations. They point out that Trump is currently facing impeachment proceedings, which could serve as leverage to delay U.S. decisions on tariffs.
Professor Jung Se Eun of Chungnam National University stated, “Given inflation and other economic factors, the current U.S. tariff policy is not beneficial to America. South Korea should use the ongoing impeachment trial as an argument, saying that decision-making is difficult under current leadership and that immediate responses are not feasible. Other allied nations may also express dissatisfaction with Trump’s trade policies over time.”
