Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Minister of Strategy and Finance, met on the 16th at the Government Seoul Office with a private economic delegation ahead of their departure to the United States and requested, "Please sufficiently explain the achievements of our investment in the U.S. so far."
Sixteen corporate representatives attended the meeting, including Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, Cho Hyun-sang, Vice Chairman of HS HYOSUNG, Kim Won-kyung, President of Samsung Electronics, Lee Hyung-hee, Chairperson of SK Communication, Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor, and Yoon Chang-ryul, Head of LG Global Strategy Development.
From the government side, included were Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang In-sun, First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Park Sung-taek, and Chief Negotiator for Trade Jeong In-kyo.
Acting President Choi noted, "Since the new U.S. administration took office, tariffs on steel and aluminum and plans for imposing reciprocal tariffs have been continuously announced," adding that "the public and private sectors must unite as one team to respond wisely and flexibly to changes in the trade environment."
He also stated, "Within change, there are always hidden opportunities," and requested, "Through this visit, please sufficiently explain the investment achievements so far and seek opportunities to collaborate with the new U.S. government."
The economic delegation plans to meet with senior officials at the White House and key members of Congress to discuss trade policies, including tariffs, and to introduce plans for strategic cooperation and investment collaboration between the two countries.
The government designated this week as 'Diplomatic and Trade Super Week,' as the public and private sectors work together to intensify outreach activities.
Acting President Choi will meet with Lukas Blazek, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, during their visit this week to explain the domestic situation and discuss ways to expand economic cooperation with each country.
Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Deputy Minister Jeong In-kyo are planning to visit the U.S. soon to discuss cooperation in the industry and trade sectors with Howard Rutnik, nominee for Secretary of Commerce, and Jamieson Greer, nominee for United States Trade Representative.
Choi Joong-kyung, Ambassador for International Investment Cooperation, and representatives from the battery industry will jointly visit investment areas of our companies in the U.S. and communicate regarding the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance stated, "We will expand our engagement with the new U.S. government through joint public-private 'relay outreach' and protect the interests of our corporations, workers, and consumers."