Digital Library

South Korea is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit for the second time. The event will be held from October 31 to November 1 and presents a valuable opportunity for Korea—with a new president in office—to demonstrate renewed diplomatic leadership and reaffirm its commitment to international cooperation. Unfortunately, the timing of the…

On July 7, President Donald Trump effectively delayed the 25-percent reciprocal tariffs against South Korea to August 1. The extension grants more time to reach an agreement but does not alleviate the need for a trade deal to achieve certainty and lower tariffs. Section 232 tariffs have remained in force during the pause of reciprocal…

President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law on July 4 after a series of close-call votes in both the House and the Senate, including a tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. Outlining the United States’ fiscal and budget policies for Trump’s second term, it includes termination of subsidies…

U.S. and South Korean companies continued to plow ahead and forge partnerships across several domains in Q2 despite uncertainty surrounding bilateral trade relations and policy. Bolstered by partnerships in technology, shipbuilding, clean energy, and artificial intelligence, new projects include Korean firms constructing U.S. containerships as well as unmanned surface vehicle (USV) development, providing greater support…

New South Korean President Lee Jae-myung takes office at a time of serious economic challenges in South Korea. Real GDP fell by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2025, with private consumption, fixed investment and exports all reporting declines. The political crisis triggered by Yoon Suk Yeol and his martial law declaration late last…

For the first time in decades, there is a real sense of urgency in revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding. There is bipartisan political interest in challenging China’s dominance in this space, and the U.S. private sector appears poised to capitalize on the momentum. Tangible and well-timed developments such as Hanwha’s purchase of Philly Shipyard have added to…

Read the full report by Nils Wollesen Osterberg and Dr. Je Heon (James) Kim by clicking here. The latest report from the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) evaluates the rationale and implications of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs on South Korean imports. The administration frames these tariffs as “reciprocal” measures necessary to correct…

This report evaluates the rationale and implications of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs on South Korean imports. The administration frames these tariffs as “reciprocal” measures necessary to correct perceived…

According to the World Bank, certain minerals associated with battery technology are expected to see relative increases in demand of up to 500 percent by 2050 as part of the global transition to clean energy. Thus, sourcing critical minerals for the clean energy transition will be paramount to its success, particularly in the context of…