South Korea passes special bill to implement its $350 billion U.S. investment pledge

South Korea’s parliament passed a special bill on Thursday. state-run investment company He will manage the $350 billion investment that Seoul plans to make to the USA

The new company will specialize in the implementation of the investment package. According to South Korean media outlet Yonhaand will be fully funded by the government.

Passing the law would mean Seoul would have the legal framework it needs to fulfill its investment commitments to Washington in exchange for more favorable “reciprocal” tariff rates.

The investment covers $150 billion in shipbuilding and 200 billion dollars For projects in strategic sectors, which will be limited to $20 billion per year.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump threatened in January to raise tariffs on Asia’s fourth-largest economy to 25% from the 15% agreed under a trade deal between Seoul and Washington in July 2025.

“The South Korean Legislative Assembly is not honoring the agreement it reached with the United States,” Trump said. Real Social mail

The U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down most of Trump’s tariffs, prompting him to impose new 10% taxes under Section 122.

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said, “Although the decision increases uncertainties regarding exports to the United States, the general export conditions guaranteed by the Korea-US tariff agreement will remain largely intact.” reportedly He said in February.

South Korea’s parliament passed the special bill on the heels of Washington’s latest trade salvo in the form of Section 301 investigations into 16 trading partners, including South Korea; This could pave the way for Trump to replace the repealed tariffs.

Section 301 allows the United States to impose tariffs on goods imported from economies found to engage in unfair trade practices.