South Korea and United States Advance Economic Security and Supply‑Chain Cooperation in Washington
Updated (2 articles)
Senior Economic Dialogue Held in Washington The 10th Senior Economic Dialogue took place in Washington, led by South Korea’s Second Vice‑Foreign Minister Kim Jina and U.S. Under Secretary Jacob Helberg [1][2]. Both sides framed the meeting as a continuation of the late‑October summit agreements between President Lee Jae Myung and President Donald Trump [1][2]. The dialogue focused on deepening economic and industrial cooperation under the bilateral trade and investment framework [2].
Key Trade and Investment Commitments Reaffirmed Seoul pledged to invest a total of US$350 billion in the United States, allocating US$150 billion to shipbuilding and US$200 billion to other sectors [1]. In exchange, U.S. tariffs on Korean goods are set to fall from 25 % to 15 % [1]. These commitments were first outlined in a joint fact sheet released on November 13 and are central to the modernized U.S.–ROK alliance [2].
Economic Security and Critical‑Mineral Collaboration Emphasized The talks addressed alignment of economic and national security to protect competitiveness and secure supply chains [1]. Both parties discussed joint measures against unfair, non‑market practices and highlighted Korea’s leadership in resilient supply‑chain initiatives within regional and multilateral forums [1]. Collaboration on critical minerals was a specific agenda item, reflecting shared concerns over strategic resource dependencies [1].
Facilitating Business Travel and Manufacturing Investment Officials announced plans to ease Korean business travel to the United States through the Korea‑U.S. Business Travel and Visas Working Group [1]. They also noted ongoing government‑ and private‑sector investments in American manufacturing and supply‑chain projects [1]. These steps aim to strengthen cross‑border investment and deepen the economic partnership [1].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: S. Korea and U.S. discuss economic security and supply chains in Washington talks — Details the senior dialogue’s agenda, investment pledges, tariff reductions, and supply‑chain cooperation, emphasizing the broader alliance modernization .
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[2]
Yonhap: S. Korea, U.S. to hold senior‑level talks on economic, industrial cooperation this week — Provides advance notice of the Washington meeting, outlines the joint fact sheet background, and highlights the agenda’s focus on future‑oriented economic collaboration .
Timeline
Aug 2025 – South Korean and U.S. leaders reaffirm commitments from the August summit, laying the groundwork for a “more modernized U.S.–ROK Alliance” that will later anchor a sweeping trade and investment pact [1].
Oct 2025 (late) – President Lee Jae Myung and President Donald Trump conclude their second summit, signing a bilateral deal that promises reciprocal trade, energy security, shipbuilding cooperation and critical‑technology exchange; Seoul pledges a US $350 billion investment in the United States, while U.S. tariffs on Korean goods fall from 25 % to 15 % [1][2].
Nov 13, 2025 – The State Department releases a joint fact sheet detailing the October agreements on trade, investment and security, and frames the upcoming Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) as a “future‑focused agenda” for the alliance [2].
Dec 9, 2025 – South Korea’s Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg announce they will lead the 10th Senior Economic Dialogue in Washington, emphasizing that the talks will advance the October‑era agreements and deepen economic‑industrial cooperation [2].
Dec 10, 2025 – During the 10th SED, Kim Jina and Jacob Helberg call for “joint measures to strengthen security and supply chains,” reaffirm the August and October summit commitments, and outline concrete actions: Korea commits US $350 billion (US $150 billion for shipbuilding, US $200 billion for other sectors), and both sides agree to streamline Korean business travel via a new Business Travel and Visas Working Group. Helberg highlights “Korea’s leadership on resilient supply chains” and the two nations pledge tighter coordination on critical minerals and technology collaboration [1].