Detailed talks over $200 billion of South Korea’s $350 billion investment package for the United States are entering a final stage, with Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan travelling to meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Observers say Seoul needs to secure a written duty-free export quota for semiconductors proportional to investment as Washington designs chip tariffs to push more local production. Uncertainty remains over formulas and product coverage, while the government discusses responses across agencies.

A dispute involving Coupang is raising the possibility that U.S. pressure on South Korea could expand to additional tariffs. CNBC reported that U.S. congressional officials and people around Coupang see potential responses by Congress or the White House if the row drags on. The issue centers on South Korea’s response after a personal data leak case. U.S. politicians have urged a formal probe and tariff review, while both sides dispute the leak’s scale and related actions.