South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Ahn Duk-geun, is set to visit the United States from January 6 to 10 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, industry, and energy. This visit comes ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. President.
During his trip, Minister Ahn will engage with U.S. lawmakers, federal and state officials, and key Republican leaders to emphasize the importance of a stable business environment for South Korean companies with significant investments in the United States.
In addition to discussing economic exchanges and cooperation, Minister Ahn plans to pay his respects to the late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. This visit will strengthen economic ties and mutual understanding between the two nations as they prepare for potential shifts in policy under the incoming U.S. administration.
Minister Ahn Duk-Geun will begin his U.S. visit in Georgia on January 6, where he is scheduled to meet Governor Brian Kemp. During their meeting, Ahn aimed to secure the support of the state government for South Korean companies operating in key sectors such as automobiles, semiconductors, and batteries. Georgia has emerged as a hub for Korean investments in advanced industries, and Ahn plans to highlight their contributions to the state’s economic growth.
Minister Ahn will visit SK On Co.’s production line, a key battery manufacturing unit of SK Group as part of his Georgia itinerary. He will also hold discussions with South Korean businesses in the region to address operational challenges and explore ways to strengthen cooperation in high-tech industries.
The visit comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in global trade, with the impending second term of President Donald Trump signaling a potential shift toward protectionist policies. These include proposals for sweeping tariffs of at least 10% on all goods, which have raised concerns among Korean firms with significant investments in the U.S. Minister Ahn aims to advocate for a stable and predictable business environment to safeguard the interests of these companies.
Following his engagements in Georgia, Ahn will travel to Washington, D.C., from January 8 to 10. There, he will meet with members of Congress and influential policy advisors to discuss measures for enhancing Korea-U.S. industrial and trade cooperation. Ahn is also expected to emphasize the importance of maintaining favorable conditions for Korean companies amidst evolving trade policies.
