Top Headlines

Feeds

South Korean Leaders Convene on Feb 22 to Counter U.S. Court‑Blocked Trump Tariffs

Updated (107 articles)
  • Jeong Yeon-doo (R), vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence, and James Heller, charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, shake hands during their meeting in the capital on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Jeong Yeon-doo (R), vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence, and James Heller, charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, shake hands during their meeting in the capital on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Jeong Yeon-doo (R), vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence, and James Heller, charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, shake hands during their meeting in the capital on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (L) and Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, announce the results of tariff negotiations with the United States in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in this file photo taken Oct. 29, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
    National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (L) and Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, announce the results of tariff negotiations with the United States in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in this file photo taken Oct. 29, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (L) and Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, announce the results of tariff negotiations with the United States in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in this file photo taken Oct. 29, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • A person holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, with the company’s logo visible on a screen in the background, on July 19, 2025, in Chongqing, China.
    A person holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, with the company’s logo visible on a screen in the background, on July 19, 2025, in Chongqing, China.
    Image: Newsweek
    A person holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, with the company’s logo visible on a screen in the background, on July 19, 2025, in Chongqing, China. Source Full size
  • Government officials and lawmakers attend the first meeting of the parliamentary special committee to fast-track legislation on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the United States at the National Assembly, in this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Government officials and lawmakers attend the first meeting of the parliamentary special committee to fast-track legislation on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the United States at the National Assembly, in this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Government officials and lawmakers attend the first meeting of the parliamentary special committee to fast-track legislation on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the United States at the National Assembly, in this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • A person holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, with the company’s logo visible on a screen in the background, on July 19, 2025, in Chongqing, China.
    A person holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, with the company’s logo visible on a screen in the background, on July 19, 2025, in Chongqing, China.
    Image: Newsweek
    A person holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, with the company’s logo visible on a screen in the background, on July 19, 2025, in Chongqing, China. Source Full size
  • National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (L) and Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, announce the results of tariff negotiations with the United States in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in this file photo taken Oct. 29, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
    National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (L) and Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, announce the results of tariff negotiations with the United States in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in this file photo taken Oct. 29, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (L) and Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, announce the results of tariff negotiations with the United States in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in this file photo taken Oct. 29, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Government officials and lawmakers attend the first meeting of the parliamentary special committee to fast-track legislation on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the United States at the National Assembly, in this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Government officials and lawmakers attend the first meeting of the parliamentary special committee to fast-track legislation on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the United States at the National Assembly, in this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Government officials and lawmakers attend the first meeting of the parliamentary special committee to fast-track legislation on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the United States at the National Assembly, in this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Supreme Court blocks Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, prompting new global levy The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb 21 upheld a lower‑court ruling that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act cannot justify Trump’s emergency “reciprocal” tariffs on South Korea and other partners [4]. Hours later President Trump signed a proclamation imposing a temporary 10 % worldwide tariff, slated to begin at 12:01 a.m. Washington time on Tuesday, and subsequently announced a rise to 15 % [1]. The proclamation is presented as a replacement for the struck‑down emergency duties and signals continued pressure on trade partners.

Seoul’s senior officials gather to formulate a coordinated response On Feb 22, President‑level officials met at Cheong Wa Dae, led by policy chief Kim Yong‑beom and National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac, to discuss South Korea’s reaction to the U.S. court decision and the new tariff proclamation [1]. Attendees included Finance Minister Koo Yoon‑cheol, Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan, Trade Minister Yeo Han‑koo and Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung‑do, indicating a broad cabinet‑level effort. The agenda covered immediate diplomatic steps, potential retaliatory measures, and a review of ongoing South Korean investment projects in the United States.

Legislature presses ahead with $350 billion investment bill despite ruling Rival parties in the National Assembly confirmed on Feb 21 that they will continue processing the special bill tied to Seoul’s $350 billion pledge, with hearings scheduled for the following Tuesday and a plenary vote set for March 5 [3]. Opposition lawmaker Kim Sang‑hoon (People Power Party) argued the court decision does not invalidate the investment commitments, while the ruling Democratic Party echoed a “no‑schedule‑change” stance [3]. The minor Jinbo Party called for an immediate halt, but the major parties remain committed to the fast‑track timeline established in February.

Diplomatic channel remains open as U.S. envoy discusses trade implementation Vice‑minister Jeong Yeon‑doo met acting U.S. Ambassador James Heller on Feb 19, focusing on the implementation of the bilateral trade deal and the status of pledged investment projects [7]. Both officials pledged stronger communication, and Heller indicated optimism about the eventual realization of the delayed South Korean projects in the United States [7]. South Korea has also formed a committee to review the $350 billion investment portfolio, underscoring a coordinated domestic‑foreign effort to safeguard the agreement.

Presidential office vows close monitoring of further U.S. policy moves The Cheong Wa Dae press office stated on Feb 21 that it will closely watch any additional U.S. actions following the Supreme Court ruling, reflecting heightened vigilance over potential trade repercussions [2]. This monitoring stance complements the high‑level meeting and legislative actions, creating a multi‑pronged approach to protect South Korea’s economic interests.

Sources

Related Tickers

by TradingView

Timeline

July 2025 – The United States and South Korea sign a trade agreement that caps U.S. tariffs on Korean goods at 10 % and grants preferential auto rates, laying the foundation for later investment commitments [3].

Oct 29, 2025 – At the APEC summit in Gyeongju, leaders announce a pact that obliges Seoul to invest $200 billion in cash and $150 billion in shipbuilding, while reducing Korean auto tariffs to 15 % retroactive to Nov 1 [6].

Nov 26, 2025 – South Korea’s National Assembly approves a special bill to fund the $350 billion investment pledge required under the trade pact, enabling the tariff reductions to take effect [29].

Dec 1, 2025 – The U.S. Commerce Department lowers the tariff on Korean automobiles to 15 % retroactive to Nov 1, citing the $350 billion Korean investment commitment [30].

Dec 3, 2025 – A Federal Register notice implements the 15 % duties on Korean autos, aircraft parts, and lumber, confirming the reciprocal rate and the investment linkage [28][29].

Dec 3, 2025 – The United States formally reduces tariffs on Korean cars, aircraft components, and timber to 15 %, easing export costs for Seoul’s manufacturers [27].

Dec 2025 – U.S. imports from Taiwan surpass those from China for the first time in decades; a new Taiwan‑U.S. pact caps tariffs at 15 % and secures over $250 billion in chip‑related investments [4].

Jan 15, 2026 – The U.S. Commerce Department cuts Taiwanese tariffs to 15 % after Taiwan pledges $250 billion in direct investments and up to $250 billion in financing [2].

Jan 18, 2026 – South Korea tells Washington it will seek “no less favorable” treatment for AI semiconductors, using the U.S.–Taiwan agreement as a benchmark [24].

Jan 21‑23, 2026 – Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok makes his first overseas trip, meeting senior U.S. officials, discussing the tariff dispute, and proposing a U.S. envoy to North Korea to advance dialogue [22][21].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Trump posts that reciprocal tariffs on South Korean autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals rise from 15 % to 25 % because “South Korea has not lived up to the trade deal,” noting that the duties will be borne by U.S. importers [1][5][15][20].

Jan 27, 2026 – South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance announces an emergency inter‑agency meeting and promises to keep Washington informed as it pushes the special investment bill through parliament [17][18][19]; the ruling Democratic Party schedules February deliberations on the bill [14].

Jan 27, 2026 – Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan tells reporters, “Our mutual understanding has deepened significantly,” after meetings with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clear “unnecessary misunderstandings” [11].

Jan 30, 2026 – Kim Jung‑kwan and Lutnick hold the first day of tariff talks in Washington; the session ends without a deal and a second meeting is set for the next morning [12].

Jan 31, 2026 – Kim Jung‑kwan returns to Incheon, reiterating that talks have resolved misunderstandings and pledging swift processing of the investment bill [11].

Feb 3, 2026 – Foreign Minister Cho Hyun meets Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to defuse Trump’s 25 % tariff threat and prepares to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial the following day [10].

Feb 4, 2026 – The United States and South Korea reaffirm cooperation on civilian nuclear power, nuclear‑powered submarines, and shipbuilding while the tariff dispute looms, and the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial convenes to diversify rare‑earth supply chains [9][10].

Feb 5, 2026 – President Trump announces that formal steps are underway to raise Korean vehicle duties to 25 %, turning earlier rhetoric into an imminent policy move [8].

Feb 20, 2026 – Taiwan’s U.S. exports overtake China’s for the first time in decades; the Taiwan‑U.S. pact caps tariffs at 15 % and secures >$0.25 trillion in chip investments, and Trump schedules an April visit to Beijing at Xi Jinping’s invitation [4].

Feb 21, 2026 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on South Korea exceed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, blocking the 25 % rates; Korean newspapers headline the decision [6][7]; Trump responds by signing a proclamation imposing a 10 % worldwide tariff and promising further measures [6].

Future‑oriented notes: – The Democratic Party aims to pass the $350 billion investment bill by the end of February [14]; – Trump’s planned April 2026 Beijing trip may expand modest trade concessions first discussed in the October South Korea deal [4].

Dive deeper (11 sub-stories)

All related articles (107 articles)