Trumpian Tariffs, Technology, and Trade: Seoul’s Interest in China’s Response
By Leif-Eric Easley
Professor, Ewha Womans University and Yesun Kim
▶️South Korea-China relations have deteriorated due to economic coercion, security disputes, and trade shifts, including China’s rise as a technological power and its reduced dependence on imports from South Korea. Seoul is struggling to navigate U.S.-China rivalry, which is expected to intensify after Trump returns to the White House.
▶️In response to economic pressure from both the Trump and Biden administrations, Beijing devalued its currency, engaged in targeted retaliation, bolstered self-reliance, and bent global supply chains. It did not lose ground in the Global South nor come into compliance with international trade norms.
▶️Rather than pursue destabilizing unilateral policies, Washington and Seoul should prioritize an “alliance first” strategy to address China-related challenges with coordinated burden-sharing and rules-based economic security cooperation.
