South Korea scrambles to pass U.S. investment bill after Trump threatens higher tariffs

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said he was raising tariffs on South Korean exports to 25% from the current 15%, citing a delay in the country’s parliament approving the Washington-Seoul trade deal agreed in July last year.

Spokesperson of the ruling Democratic Party Kim Hyun-jung said Trump was likely referring to the Special Act on Strategic Investment Management between Korea and the United States, according to a Google translation of the statement in Korean, submitted to the country’s parliament last November.

The bill aims to establish a state-run investment corporation to manage Seoul’s planned $350 billion investment pledge to Washington.

Kim said that five related bills have been submitted to the National Assembly, and are scheduled to be reviewed, adding that “the fact that both the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party have proposed these bills will likely expedite their passage.”

The ruling DP currently holds 162 seats in the 300 seat National Assembly with four vacant seats, while the PPP holds 107.

 “What is needed now is to quickly confirm the intent and facts of the U.S statement and correct any misunderstandings,” she said.

South Korea’s presidential office said that it had called a meeting to review and discuss responses to Trump’s announcement on Tuesday, and reiterated its commitment to implementing the tariff agreement.

Earlier in the day, the office said it had not received any official notice or explanation from the U.S. regarding the announcement, according to local media outlet Yonhap.

South Korea’s finance ministry said that it will keep the U.S. informed on the legislative process, while Seoul’s trade ministry said that industry minister Kim Jung-kwan will visit Washington for talks on the matter, Yonhap reported.

“It is time for the government and the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly to join forces. I look forward to the People Power Party’s bipartisan cooperation,” Kim said.

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia plunged in early trade following Trump’s threats, but later pared losses. Hyundai last traded 0.1% down, and Kia was down 1.16%. The broader Kospi was up 1.9%, while the small-cap Kosdaq index climbed 0.89%.