South Korea seeks to stave off new US tariffs and soothe Coupang dispute

The United States finalized Section 301 tariffs of up to 12.5% on South Korean goods, citing insufficient safeguards against forced‑labor imports. Korean officials warn a separate overcapacity probe could raise duties toward the 15% ceiling and may be used to press Seoul on accelerating $350 billion of investment commitments.

South Korea’s trade minister, Yeo Han‑koo, travelled to Washington to meet USTR Jamieson Greer and several US senators and representatives. He addressed congressional concerns that Korean digital policies discriminate against US‑listed e‑commerce giant Coupang, which recently paid a $400 million fine for a data breach affecting 37 million customers. Yeo emphasized Korea’s nondiscriminatory framework and the strategic importance of cooperation in semiconductors, shipbuilding and energy, aiming to keep the dispute from spilling over into broader bilateral relations.