"U.S. May Restrict Technology Exports to Targeted Countries"
Is Korea Also at Risk?
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that digital regulations in other countries are all targeting American technology companies and announced that he would impose additional tariffs on countries implementing such regulations.
On the 25th (local time), President Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social, "As President of the United States, I will stand up to countries that attack our great American technology companies."
He argued, "Digital taxes, digital service laws, and digital market regulations are all designed to harm or discriminate against American technology," adding, "Outrageously, these measures also completely exempt China’s largest technology companies from regulation."
He continued, "I warn every country that has digital taxes, legislation, rules, or regulations: unless these discriminatory measures are removed, I will impose significant additional tariffs on their exports to the United States and introduce restrictions on the export of technology and semiconductors that we strictly protect." This statement is interpreted to mean not only the imposition of tariffs but also the implementation of export controls that would prevent those countries from freely importing American technology and semiconductors.
President Trump added, "The United States and American technology companies are no longer the world's 'piggy bank' or 'doormat.' Show respect to America and our amazing technology companies."
Although President Trump did not mention specific countries, there is a possibility that Korea could also fall within the scope of these tariffs. American companies have long argued that digital regulations such as the online platform law and network usage fees promoted in Korea have been applied in a way that disadvantages only U.S. companies. The U.S. government has also raised this issue during trade consultations with the Korean government.
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