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US businesspeople in Korea fly to Washington to boost economic ties
American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman James Kim, right, listens to U.S. President Donald Trump during his meeting with Korean businesspeople in Seoul in 2019. AP-Yonhap
By Park Jae-hyuk
AMCHAM sends 1st business delegation to US since Korean presidential election
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) said Monday its executive delegation will meet key officials of the Donald Trump administration this week, exploring ways to reshape the two countries' economic ties under new leadership in both nations.
Through its annual Doorknock program in Washington from Tuesday to Thursday (local time), the AMCHAM delegation plans to call for stronger support for Korean investments in the United States, a reduced U.S. goods trade deficit with Korea and policy reforms that enhance Korea's appeal as home to regional headquarters of global enterprises.
It will be the first business delegation to visit the U.S. capital since President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration last Wednesday.
AMCHAM emphasized this year's visit comes at a critical moment for the Korea-U.S. partnership, as both countries begin new political chapters and navigate shifting global economic dynamics.
"This Doorknock is about reaffirming our shared commitment to a strong and resilient U.S.-Korea economic alliance," AMCHAM Chairman James Kim said. "With Korea's new administration just taking office, this is a unique window of opportunity to help shape the next phase of bilateral economic cooperation. We're here to ensure that the voice of American business in Korea is heard at the higher levels."
With participation from representatives of major Korean conglomerates such as Hyundai Motor Group, LG CNS and POSCO Group, the delegation is set to meet key figures from the White House, U.S. Congress and the Department of State. Amazon Web Services, Corning Incorporated, Google and Lockheed Martin are among the U.S. firms joining the delegation.
According to AMCHAM, the discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in key areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, where Korea plays a critical role in global supply chains.
"As the partnership between the U.S. and Korea continues to deepen across strategic industries, AMCHAM's role as a bridge between the two governments has never been more important," Kim said. "We are committed to working closely with both administrations to drive meaningful long-term collaboration."
With Korea set to host the APEC summit in late October in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, AMCHAM also views the delegation's visit as a timely opportunity to build momentum for broader regional cooperation. The delegation will advocate for robust U.S. engagement in the summit and underscore the importance of regulatory alignment across the Asia-Pacific, according to AMCHAM.