Overview
- The White House published a joint fact sheet and officials signed a 27‑point, nonbinding MOU detailing $150 billion for U.S. shipbuilding and $200 billion in strategic investments, capped at $20 billion per year.
- Washington approved South Korea to build nuclear-powered attack submarines and will work on fuel sourcing while supporting a process toward civil enrichment and spent‑fuel reprocessing subject to U.S. legal requirements.
- Tariffs on Korean automobiles, auto parts, timber, lumber and pharmaceuticals move to 15%, with semiconductors guaranteed terms no less favorable than future comparable deals and auto cuts taking effect retroactively once enabling legislation is filed.
- Seoul’s $350 billion pledge includes project funding transfers within 45 days of U.S. presidential selections, and both governments affirmed that investments must be commercially viable to prevent market instability.
- The pact reaffirms U.S. extended deterrence and USFK presence as Seoul targets 3.5% of GDP for defense, $25 billion in U.S. arms purchases by 2030 and progress on OPCON, while Seoul disputes any U.S.-based sub construction and China voices nonproliferation concerns.