South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung Vows Business-Friendly Trade Talks with U.S.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung reaffirmed his commitment to pro-business policies and trade reform on Friday, pledging to ease regulations and accelerate tariff negotiations with the United States. Speaking at a high-level meeting with major conglomerate leaders, Lee emphasized the government's support for exporters facing growing uncertainty over U.S. trade measures.

Seated between Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, President Lee stressed the importance of swiftly advancing working-level discussions with Washington to mitigate trade-related risks. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also heads the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, raised concerns over the challenges Korean firms face in making investment decisions amid ongoing tariff ambiguity.

Lee, who took office on June 3 following a campaign centered on economic pragmatism and deregulation, has already held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to pursue a fast-track trade deal. South Korea's export-driven economy, reliant on industries like semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding, is highly sensitive to tariff changes and geopolitical tensions.

“We will prioritize national interests with a pragmatic and flexible trade policy,” presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said, relaying Lee’s remarks. “We aim to minimize the burden on companies in global competition and expand Korea’s economic reach.”

Samsung’s Lee expressed hope that strengthened public-private collaboration would help South Korea navigate what he called a "multi-dimensional crisis."

President Lee invited feedback from business leaders, saying, “Let us know what we need to do in light of overseas trade conditions, and we will do everything possible to align with you.”

The administration's focus on regulatory relief and international engagement signals a strategic pivot to stabilize the economy and reassure the corporate sector.