South Korea and the United States have finalized a sweeping fact sheet that lowers tariffs, unlocks nuclear submarine cooperation and reshapes U.S. troop planning, while building in safeguards for Korea’s financial markets and outlining a coordinated approach to North Korea and China.
The delay in the joint fact sheet between Seoul and Washington underscores internal U.S. divisions over nuclear-powered submarine cooperation and highlights ongoing coordination challenges between the allies.
South Korea and the United States finalized terms of a long-discussed trade package in Gyeongju, confirming a $350 billion investment plan and setting reciprocal tariffs, including autos, at 15 percent. The leaders also advanced alliance issues during President Trump’s state visit.
Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations have stalled as Washington demands $350 billion upfront, with disputes over cash, swaps, and profit-sharing intensifying.
A U.S. visa roadblock is delaying Korea’s billion-dollar investments, halting projects like the Hyundai–LG battery plant and sparking calls for new visa solutions.
The U.S. has reinstated South Korea on its currency watchlist, citing a large trade surplus and current account imbalance under renewed trade scrutiny.
