The South Korean government has approved the export of high-precision maps demanded by American tech companies, which may influence trade negotiations between the US and Korea.
On the 27th, the South Korean government granted permission for US tech firms, including Google, to export high-precision maps under the condition of security compliance, which has attracted attention regarding its impact on US-Korea tariff negotiations. Trade experts suggest that while this immediate hurdle has been cleared, the pressure from the US is likely to continue. They noted that the timing of the South Korean government's decision aligns with the anticipated release of trade barrier reports by the Trump administration, which may further influence investor actions in terms of unfair trade investigations under the Trade Law 301.
Professor Jang Yong-jun emphasized that the rapid development of geospatial technologies made it challenging to maintain prior restrictions and expressed optimism about the compromise reached. He pointed out that the Trump administration's recent unlawful ruling from the Supreme Court concerning tariffs indicates an escalating crackdown on trade investigations under the same law, thus highlighting the importance of minimizing friction in trade relations. This proactive step by the South Korean government may help to create a more favorable environment for dialogue between the two nations.
However, the request for high-precision map exports is only one of the various so-called 'digital trade barriers' raised by the US, foreshadowing ongoing pressure in the future. The US government has consistently expressed concerns over other related issues including the online platform laws, network usage fees by US tech companies, and proposed amendments to laws concerning misinformation. As tensions persist, South Korean trade officials remain vigilant regarding pressure from the US Commerce Department and the Office of the United States Trade Representative on the remaining issues.
