Michael Beeman, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea, and APEC, joins KEI President and CEO Scott Snyder to unpack what’s really driving U.S.–South Korea trade negotiations under President Donald Trump’s second term. Drawing from his time at USTR and insights from his book Walking Out: America’s New Trade Policy in the Asia-Pacific and Beyond, Dr. Beeman explains Trump’s 25% tariff rate threat on South Korea, why economic security and non-tariff measures dominate the White House agenda, and why he thinks South Korea is unlikely to escape a double-digit tariff rate—even after negotiations and even if newly elected President Lee Jae-myung holds a successful summit in Washington. The conversation touches on the growing use of Section 232 tariffs, the challenges of sectoral tariffs on autos, steel, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, and what early trade deals with the UK and Vietnam signal for Korea. President Snyder and Dr. Beeman also discuss digital trade, country of origin rules, and how transshipment through China fits into the bigger picture. Like and subscribe to the Korea Economic Institute of America on YouTube for more U.S.-South Korea news, analysis, politics and more! You can find Dr. Beeman’s book, Walking Out: America’s New Trade Policy in the Asia-Pacific and Beyond, here: https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Out-Americas-Policy-Asia-Pacific/dp/1931368740 https://www.sup.org/books/politics/walking-out A recording of KEI’s November 2024 event with Dr. Beeman is available here: https://www.youtube.com/live/8LTrlsvBuTo?si=elMGFBk7F4XtYhGM Social Links: Website: https://keia.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korea-economic-institute-of-america/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KoreaEconInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koreaeconinst/ Twitter/ X: https://x.com/koreaeconinst [KEI is registered under the FARA as an agent of the KIEP, a public corporation established by the government of the Republic of Korea. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.]