The economic relationship between the United States and South Korea is stronger than ever, but President Donald Trump’s promises of higher US tariffs pose risks to the relationship. As protectionist US trade policies will likely distort current trade patterns, a well-positioned South Korea could stand to benefit.
Assuming Yoon is eventually removed from office, a South Korean presidential election is held, and a progressive ROK administration returns to office—with markedly different national security and foreign policy priorities—it is unlikely the NCG’s expedited progress reviewed above will continue apace. Yet only time will tell exactly how it will evolve in the future.
South Korea’s entry into the US shipbuilding industry will be resilient if it represents an alignment between strategic demand from the United States and economic opportunity for South Korea.