Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤

China slaps sanctions on Korean shipbuilder accused of helping US Measures extend trade war between Washington and Beijing to third countries

A perfect example of the little guy paying the price:
"With US companies accounting for 0.1 per cent of global shipbuilding... analysts said Beijing had targeted a South Korean company which has promised to play a prominent role in reviving the American shipbuilding sector."

"'There was never going to be a phase two,' he [Lighthizer] says firmly. 'I mean, in my opinion, the notion that you can have a deal that solves the problem between the United States and China is absurd. The whole notion of communism is to take over the world.'"

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado The accolade was awarded to the opposition leader for her work promoting democracy and fighting dictatorship in the country.

Is Norway going to be okay? 🫠

Hyundai Gets Cold Shoulder From Trump Despite Charm Offensive The Korean carmaker is betting big on the U.S., even as new trade and immigration policies pose hurdles.

"That [additional U.S. investment announcement after the raid] drew Hyundai a strong rebuke from the South Korean government, which thinks Hyundai risks weakening Korea’s leverage in trade negotiations with the Trump administration by being too openly enthusiastic for a swift trade resolution."

Takaichi's Rise Raises Red Flags for South Korea-Japan Ties Takaichis Rise Raises Red Flags for South Korea-Japan Ties Despite Emphasizing Cooperation, Takaichis Hardline Stances on Dokdo, Historical Issues Could Test Relations

"Although the Kishida administration and the Yoon Suk-yeol government, as well as the Ishiba administration and the Lee Jae-myung government, have made rapid progress... tensions over historical and territorial disputes are likely to escalate under Takaichi’s leadership."

"'We're very excited to get to build Stargate Korea and data centers with our wonderful partners to support the sovereign AI needs of Korea,' Altman said in a meeting with President Lee."

But as I wrote earlier in KTTW, can South Korea’s ‘sovereign AI needs’ truly be met through a U.S. tech giant?

A world with two predatory superpowers Nations must work out how to contend with Trump’s America and China

When the great Martin Wolf of the @financialtimes.com cites your op-ed in his work, you’re contractually obliged to brag a little! 😉

Following this morning’s announcement, I ask again.

U.S. rejects international AI oversight at U.N. General Assembly While heads of state and world experts highlighted risks and opportunities from AI, U.S. representatives expressed deep opposition to any global effort to govern the technology.

Following US Kratsios’ comments, China’s Foreign Vice Minister: "It is vital to jointly foster an open, inclusive, fair and nondiscriminatory environment for technological development and firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism... We support the UN playing a central role in AI governance."

Exclusive | Why U.S.’s Trade Pact With South Korea Has Gotten Messier The White House is looking to fine-tune the deal with Seoul after President Trump announced a $350 billion agreement in July.

Now they are talking MORE THAN $350 billion:
"Lutnick... has discussed with Seoul the idea of slightly increasing the $350 billion they had previously guaranteed to the U.S. in July and suggested the final tally could get a bit closer to the $550 billion pledged by Japan."

“Kim’s [the Korean industry minister] comment reflects a notable view in Seoul that the $350bn could instead be used to cushion Korean companies harmed by the tariffs.” Gift link:

South Korean investment in the US is now in peril Opinion in Seoul is hardening after the Georgia raid

Happy to share that my op-ed in the @financialtimes.com has been published today (with an abridged version in print tomorrow), where I examine Seoul’s response to the recent ICE raid on the Hyundai–LG plant in Georgia and its implications for the stalled trade talks between Seoul and Washington.

Exclusive: South Korea's President Lee says US investment demands would spark financial crisis South Korea's economy could fall into crisis rivalling its 1997 meltdown if the government accepts current U.S. demands in stalled trade talks without safeguards, President Lee Jae Myung told Reuters.

"'Without a currency swap, if we were to withdraw $350 billion in the manner that the U.S. is demanding and to invest this all in cash in the U.S., South Korea would face a situation as it had in the 1997 financial crisis,' he said through a translator."

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to meet in South Korea as US president hails TikTok deal American leader says Chinese counterpart approved sale of video app’s American operations

APEC just got real big!

Hyundai to invest $2.7 billion in Georgia factory hit by ICE raid Hyundai announced $2.7 billion investment in its Georgia factory that was recently hit by an ICE raid. The automaker is also expanding its electrified lineup.

Undeterred.

"One person briefed on the agenda for Trump’s visit said... 'There are people inside the WH that are very set on expanding the U.S.-U.K. relationship as a means to counterbalance the EU, and I think that’s a big part of this trip.'"

Here comes the money: UK lands Trump tech deals Britain’s quest for AI sovereignty is made in the USA.

"The Trump administration wants to sell American AI 'packages' to its allies as a form of AI sovereignty. 'We are committed to finding a way to enable America’s private companies to meet your national technological needs,' WH tech policy chief Kratsios told APEC members in South Korea this Aug."

Opinion | Deportation Blowback in South Korea More foreign investment will require more U.S. temporary visas, as there aren’t enough American workers.

"That may be hard for Americans to hear, but it’s true. The U.S. doesn’t have the workforce to do these jobs... The U.S. currently caps both H-1B specialty worker and H-2B temporary worker visas."

UPDATE:
Starting tomorrow (Sept. 16 local time), the U.S. will levy a 15 percent tariff on Japanese cars, 10 percentage points lower than the 25 percent applied to Korean cars, putting Korea’s auto industry at a disadvantage in the U.S. market.

[단독] 정부, '25% 관세 감수' 여지에 "모든 가능성 열려 있어" 지난 8월 열린 한미정상회담 모습[AP 연합뉴스 자료사진. 재판매 및 DB 금지][AP 연합뉴스 자료사진. 재판매 및 DB 금지]한미 관세협상 후속 협의가 교착 상태에 놓인 가운데

[Yonhap News TV Exclusive] As follow-up talks on U.S.–Korea tariffs remain deadlocked, government officials are said to be weighing a range of options — including the possibility of accepting a 25% tariff.

www.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/news/AKR2025...

U.S.-South Korea ties strained as 300 Koreans detained by ICE at Georgia Hyundai plant wait to fly home The ICE raid that swept up 300 South Koreans in Georgia has strained an important bilateral relationship, and highlighted a significant challenge.

"South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the departure of the Air Korea charter flight, which had been expected on Wednesday, was delayed due to unspecified circumstances in the U.S., but it would not provide any further information."

"'Without an agreement, it will be difficult for the MASGA project to even get off the ground,' Kim said... the U.S. had presented South Korea with a draft similar to the one Japan accepted, but Seoul has maintained it cannot agree to those terms."

BY THE END OF THE YEAR

Rep. Young Kim Leads Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S.–Korea Ties - Congresswoman Young Kim Washington, DC – Yesterday, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim (CA-40) and Representative Sydney Kamlager‑Dove (CA-37) introduced the bipartisan Partn...

In July, Rep. Young Kim reintroduced the bipartisan Partner with Korea Act (H.R. 4687), creating 15,000 E-4 visas for skilled Koreans while safeguarding U.S. jobs. Following the arrests of Korean nationals building America’s EV future in Georgia, hope this bill gets renewed attention.

Trade war heats up: Donald Trump lashes out against the European Commission for imposing a €2.95 billion antitrust fine on Google.

He threatens to invoke Section 301, which allows him to introduce tariffs and non-tariff measures in retaliation for a foreign act.

Implementing The United States–Japan Agreement By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency

South Korea and the U.S. also agreed to cut auto tariffs to 15%, but with the WH’s EO with Japan issued first, Korean cars could face higher duties than Japanese competitors in the U.S. market. Meanwhile, Japan’s $550B investment “will be selected by the U.S. Government,” with no details provided.

Thinking of regulating? Aim for U.S. and Chinese tech giants at once.

Google vs. South Korea: The Long-Running Dispute Over Map Data In February, Google once again requested detailed map data from South Korea’s National Geographic Information Institute, under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Thanks, @daphnek.bsky.social! Just for your reference, one of the digital trade barrier issues looming between the U.S. and South Korea is something I recently wrote about on my platform, Korea Tech & Trade Watch. Hope you find it useful!

Following @simonlester.com, I am also curious to hear your thoughts on this too, @daphnek.bsky.social Thank you!

"Senior White House officials see South Korea’s response as a litmus test on whether they will be able to pressure other trading partners to abort pushes for new digital restrictions, three of the people said."