United States of America

Economic relations between Korea and the United States reached new heights in the year 2006 with the launch of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement. While the negotiations were…

Korea’s economy in the year 2005 demonstrated that it is picking up significant positive momentum, although the full-year performance in 2005 showed mixed results. Korea’s real gross domestic product (GDP)…

The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and the Korea-European Union Free Trade Agreement (Korea-EU FTA) are the major FTAs for the Korean economy. Although both FTAs share many similarities,…

An old Korean proverb says that when two whales fight it is the shrimps whose backs are crushed. Maybe that proverb best describes Korea’s situation on the trade front these…

President Donald Trump said on February 18 that he intended to raise automobile tariffs on all U.S.  automobile imports. He followed through with this plan on March 26, announcing a 25 percent automobile tariff that took effect on April 2, making engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components, as well as fully assembled cars, all…

On January 9, 2025, the United States and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on principles of nuclear export and cooperation that could unlock new dimensions of the partnership and tens of billions of dollars in profit for construction and nuclear industries in both countries. In addition to its clear economic implications, the deal allows…

The U.S.-South Korea relationship has long been defined by a shared commitment to upholding security. But in recent years, it has evolved into something even more powerful: a comprehensive partnership rooted in economic strength, technological innovation, and cultural exchange. During the Joe Biden administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce saw firsthand the remarkable expansion of…

The beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term presages a major reordering of U.S.-South Korea economic relations. The imposition of reciprocal tariffs on Korea and the addition of import duties on steel and automobiles signify a sharp turn away from the playbook previously dictated by the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). At the same…

Please join KEI and KIEP for a discussion about the first 10 years of KORUS and the future of the U.S.-Korea economic relationship.