Seoul: South Korea has expressed growing optimism about finalizing a long-anticipated trade agreement with the United States before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which will be hosted in Seoul later this month. Senior officials say that after months of intense dialogue, both nations are closing in on a framework that could reshape economic and strategic relations across the Pacific.
Kim Yong-beom, the chief policy adviser to the South Korean President, stated that negotiations have entered their final stages following significant progress made during high-level discussions in Washington. He noted that while “a few issues remain unresolved,” the momentum is unmistakable, and both sides are eager to reach an agreement before the global summit. Kim recently met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to bridge the remaining gaps.
The upcoming APEC Summit is being seen as a symbolic deadline for the deal, giving both governments the opportunity to showcase a major bilateral achievement on an international stage. For South Korea, the timing could elevate its global economic stature, while the U.S. hopes to strengthen its alliances in Asia amid shifting geopolitical currents.
The proposed agreement reportedly involves a $350 billion South Korean investment package covering manufacturing, green energy, and technology cooperation in the United States. In return, Washington is expected to offer tariff relief and policy support to facilitate South Korean exports, particularly in the semiconductor and automobile sectors.
However, Seoul has raised concerns about the financial scale of its commitment. Officials are negotiating safeguards, including a potential currency-swap arrangement with the U.S. Federal Reserve to protect against foreign-exchange volatility. South Korean negotiators have emphasized the need to ensure that the agreement remains “within the country’s financial tolerance.”
If concluded, the deal would mark a significant milestone in the 70-year economic partnership between the two allies. For South Korea, the agreement promises to boost industrial exports, attract foreign investment, and secure access to American technology and markets. For Washington, the partnership would reinforce economic resilience in Asia and counterbalance China’s growing regional influence.
Economists believe the deal could also signal the start of a new era of cooperation among Pacific economies, potentially inspiring similar agreements with other regional partners. Analysts say the move aligns with both nations’ efforts to “de-risk” their supply chains and strengthen collective economic security.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently confirmed that Washington expects the trade deal to be finalized “within the next ten days.” Both sides are now focused on ironing out final technicalities related to tariffs, investment timelines, and compliance mechanisms.
If successful, the signing could take place during the APEC Summit itself turning the event into a platform for announcing one of the most consequential trade pacts in the region’s recent history. Observers note that such an outcome would not only highlight Seoul’s growing diplomatic influence but also reaffirm the U.S.–South Korea alliance as a cornerstone of Pacific economic stability.
As the deadline nears, anticipation continues to build in financial markets and political circles alike, with investors watching closely for signals of the deal’s final shape and timing.