1st US project under tariff pact nears finish line

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said South Korea’s first U.S. investment project under last year’s tariff agreement is nearing a deal but still needs more negotiations. He made the remarks at Incheon International Airport after a three-day trip to the United States. Seoul wants to finalize and announce the deal this week. The first project has not been disclosed, though a Texas gas-fired power plant and a nuclear power plant were cited as possible destinations.

In return for lowering U.S. reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent, Seoul committed last year to invest $350 billion in the United States.

Of that package, $150 billion is tied to the shipbuilding sector.

Kim said he spoke with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during the trip and plans to discuss the remaining issues by video early this week.

Published Sep 13, 2026 9:21 pm KST

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport upon arrival from his three-day trip to the United States, Sunday. Yonhap

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Sunday that Korea's first investment project in the United States under last year's bilateral tariff agreement is nearing a deal but still needs further negotiations.

The minister made the remarks at Incheon International Airport upon arrival from his three-day trip to the U.S., where he worked to finalize details of Seoul's first U.S. investment project related to the tariff agreement with U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

In return for lowering U.S. reciprocal tariff rates from 25 percent to 15 percent, Seoul committed last year to investing $350 billion in the U.S., including $150 billion in the shipbuilding sector.

"There are still a number of issues remaining ... I plan to discuss (them with the U.S. side) via video again early this week," Kim told reporters, without elaborating on the remaining issues.

"It is true that we have come close to an agreement on many issues, but there remain differences," he said. "It is not over until we finally sign (the deal)."

The minister said Seoul seeks to seal the deal within this week and, if possible, announce it to the public also this week.

The minister also did not elaborate on which industrial sectors the first investment project would target, although the construction of a large-scale gas-fired power plant project in Texas and a nuclear power plant have been cited as potential investment destinations.

Korean construction stocks rise on nearing US investment deal

韩国产业通商资源部长官金正宽表示，韩国根据去年与美国达成的关税协议设立的首个美国投资项目已接近达成协议，但仍需进一步谈判。他在结束为期三天的美国之行后，于仁川国际机场发表了上述讲话。首尔方面希望在本周内敲定并宣布该协议。首个项目的具体内容尚未公开，但有消息称，德克萨斯州的一座燃气发电厂和一座核电站可能是潜在的投资地点。

作为将美国对韩关税从 25% 降至 15% 的交换条件，首尔去年承诺向美国投资 3500 亿美元。

其中，1500亿美元与造船业相关。

金正恩表示，他在访问期间与美国商务部长霍华德·卢特尼克进行了交谈，并计划在本周初通过视频讨论剩余问题。

发布于2026年9月13日晚上9:21（韩国标准时间）

韩国产业通商资源部长官金正冠周日结束对美国为期三天的访问抵达仁川国际机场后，在机场接受记者采访。（韩联社）

韩国产业通商资源部长官金正冠周日表示，韩国根据去年与美国签署的双边关税协议进行的首个对美投资项目即将达成协议，但仍需进一步谈判。

这位部长在结束为期三天的美国之行抵达仁川国际机场时发表了上述讲话。他在美国期间与包括商务部长霍华德·卢特尼克在内的美国官员敲定了首尔首个与关税协议相关的美国投资项目的细节。

作为将美国对等关税税率从 25% 降至 15% 的交换条件，首尔去年承诺向美国投资 3500 亿美元，其中包括向造船业投资 1500 亿美元。

“还有一些问题悬而未决……我计划在本周初再次通过视频与美方讨论这些问题，”金正恩告诉记者，但他没有详细说明剩余的问题是什么。

他说：“的确，我们在许多问题上已经接近达成一致，但仍存在分歧。不到最终签署协议，一切都还没有结束。”

该部长表示，首尔方面希望在本周内达成协议，如果可能的话，也希望在本周内向公众宣布这一消息。

部长也没有详细说明第一个投资项目将瞄准哪些工业领域，尽管在德克萨斯州建设大型燃气发电厂项目和核电站被认为是潜在的投资目的地。

韩国建筑股因即将达成美韩投资协议而上涨