South Korea sees scope to cooperate with Taiwan on US chip tariffs

South Korea sees potential to coordinate with Taiwan on how to navigate US chip tariffs, according to Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo. Speaking in a radio interview, Yeo said Taiwan is also in talks with Washington, creating scope for both export-heavy economies to secure “the most favourable treatment” through cooperation.

Seoul recently finalised a deal with the United States that reduces tariffs in exchange for major South Korean investment in strategic US sectors. The agreement includes a clause ensuring that any future US tariff terms offered to another major chip exporter, widely understood to mean Taiwan, cannot be more favourable than those granted to South Korea.

The comments come as US officials privately signal they may delay the long-promised semiconductor tariffs, softening a key plank of Donald Trump’s economic agenda. South Korea’s chip exports to the US have been surging, rising 51% year-on-year in October amid booming demand for AI-related semiconductors.

Info via Reuters.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.