South Korea Approves $350 Billion Investment Law Amid U.S. Trade Investigations
On February 2, 2026, South Korea's parliament approved a law facilitating a $350 billion investment in the U.S., responding to the Trump administration’s protectionist policies and trade investigations. The investment includes $200 billion in semiconductors and high-tech sectors and $150 billion in shipbuilding.
The law mandates the establishment of a public corporation to manage these investments collaboratively with U.S. trade authorities. The passage of the bill follows significant pressure from the government amid concerns about South Korea's economic vulnerabilities and potential tariff increases, with a vote of 226 to 8. The agreement caps annual investments at $20 billion to safeguard foreign reserves.
