Ahn Duk-geun, South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), will visit the United States on Feb. 26 to hold trade discussions aimed at easing U.S. tariff measures. Experts expect the government to present cooperation in shipbuilding, more energy imports, and U.S. investment as bargaining chips to secure tariff exemptions.
During his visit, Ahn is scheduled to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Throughout the two-day trip, Korea plans to propose partnerships in sectors where the U.S. has expressed interest and then advance tariff negotiations.
Previously, the MOTIE has faced challenges engaging in high-level discussions with the U.S. due to vacancies in leadership positions at key trade-related agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
But with the Trump administration moving forward with blunt-force tariff policies, followed by Lutnick’s appointment as U.S. commerce chief on Feb. 21, the Korean government swiftly arranged the visit.
Lutnick, a central figure in President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, recently made headlines after urging a private delegation of CEOs from Korea’s top 20 conglomerates to invest at least $1 billion in the U.S. The MOTIE is working closely with a private delegation to devise a negotiation strategy.
One of Korea’s key proposals is expanding shipbuilding partnerships, including ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). This aligns with Trump’s remarks during his first phone call with President Yoon Suk-yeol last November, when Trump signaled interest in U.S.-Korea cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. The Korean government formed an inter-ministerial task force (TF) last month to develop a bilateral shipbuilding cooperation package. Ahn is expected to present these initiatives in his meetings with Washington officials.
During his meeting with Secretary Wright, Ahn is expected to propose increasing Korea’s imports of U.S. energy, which aligns with Trump’s broader strategy of expanding U.S. energy exports to reduce the country’s trade deficit. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Korea recorded a $66 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last year.
The Trump administration has notified that it will introduce a new wave of tariffs on automobiles and semiconductors and impose reciprocal tariffs on countries with large trade surpluses with the U.S. Trump has also hinted at potentially repealing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was introduced under the Biden administration.
Ahn will also request that the U.S. does not cut subsidies for semiconductor investments promised under the IRA. South Korean Ambassador for International Investment Cooperation Choi Jung-kyung will lead discussions on the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (AMPC) for batteries.
Ambassador Choi will embark on a 15-day visit starting on Feb. 28 to seven U.S. states—Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Arizona, Kentucky, Georgia, and Indiana—where major South Korean companies such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On have established battery production facilities. His visit will include meetings with state governors to discuss investment incentives and trade cooperation.
“The details of Minister Ahn’s meetings with Secretaries Lutnick and Wright are still being finalized,” said a trade ministry official. Negotiations with USTR nominee Jamieson Greer, who has not yet been officially appointed, will be handled by Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo.
