Washington, November 14 – The United States has given the green light for South Korea to build nuclear‑powered submarines and to develop its own uranium‑enrichment and spent‑fuel‑reprocessing plants. The U.S. support was announced in a joint fact sheet released by the White House.
The fact sheet summarizes talks between President Lee Jae‑myung and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The leaders met in Washington in August and again in Gyeongju, South Korea, before the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Key points from the agreement
- Submarine build‑out – The U.S. now backs South Korea’s plan to acquire at least four 5,000‑ton nuclear‑powered attack submarines by the mid‑2030s.
- Nuclear fuel – The U.S. backs Seoul’s proposal to add civil uranium‑enrichment and spent‑fuel reprocessing capabilities for peaceful use, under U.S. legal requirements.
- Trade deals – Washington will cut tariffs on Korean goods to 15 % from 25 %, covering cars, auto parts, timber and wood products.
- Pharma and semiconductors – The U.S. pledges no higher than 15 % on Korean pharmaceuticals and “no less favourable” semiconductor tariff terms for large‑scale chip trade.
- Investment – Seoul commits $350 billion to U.S. industry, with $150 billion going to U.S. shipbuilding and $200 billion to broader strategic investments. South Korea will not have to exceed $20 billion in U.S. dollar commitments in any single year.
- Defense cooperation – The U.S. reaffirms its “enduring” presence in South Korea (USFK) and its extended deterrence, including nuclear options, while Seoul agrees to raise defense spending to 3.5 % of GDP and to buy $25 billion worth of U.S. weapons by 2030.
Security context
South Korea’s push for powerful submarines and nuclear fuel processing is part of its effort to strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s growing military capabilities. The U.S. and South Korea also aim to improve U.S. forces’ flexibility in the region, a reference to earlier 2006 agreements that expand U.S. readiness beyond the Korean Peninsula.
Other items
The fact sheet covers a range of non‑tariff issues, including easier market access for U.S. agriculture, digital services, and a U.S. “Desk” to streamline approvals for U.S. horticultural products. Both nations agreed to keep U.S. companies free from discrimination in digital markets.
Overall, the agreement signals a deeper U.S.–South Korea partnership on trade, defense, and nuclear policy, setting the stage for a stronger alliance in the face of North Korean provocations and rising Chinese influence.
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