Live Updates > Live Update Details
2025-09-17 13:45:15
[US immigration raids heighten tensions, South Korea-US trade talks hit a stalemate] South Korea's top trade negotiator continued negotiations in Washington this week on a $350 billion investment commitment after US immigration authorities raided a Georgia electric vehicle battery plant jointly built by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solutions. The unprecedented action has heightened tensions and sparked a debate in Seoul over whether the investment is worth pursuing. The two sides are working hard to push for the final implementation of the agreement reached in July, but they must first resolve the impact of the immigration raids. After more than 300 South Korean workers were briefly detained in the operation, South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jong-kwan held talks with U.S. Trade Representative Greer on Tuesday. This was another emergency consultation following last week's meeting between South Korean Industry Minister Kim Young-man and U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick. Kim Jong-kwan admitted that he had doubts about the value of the investment commitments and acknowledged that the outcome of the trade negotiations would determine the future relationship between Seoul and Washington.
