Turning Tariff Challenges into Opportunities
Supporting Five Local SMEs in Entering the North American Market
Yangsan City in South Gyeongsang Province (Mayor Na Dongyeon) selected five local automotive-related small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the "2025 Yangsan City North America Future Automobile Trade Delegation," which was dispatched to Detroit, United States, and Toronto, Canada-the centers of the global automotive industry-from October 20 to October 25, 2025, to help these companies develop overseas markets.
Yangsan City North America Future Automobile Trade Delegation (Detroit Export Consultation). Provided by Yangsan City
This trade delegation initiative is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises that possess excellent technology and products but face difficulties in entering overseas markets. Each year, the city collaborates with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to invite local buyers for one-on-one export consultations, thereby assisting companies in expanding into foreign markets.
The North American region visited this time is home to a concentration of automotive companies. With mobility innovation and supply chain restructuring emerging as key topics, investments in related sectors are active. However, due to the uncertainty of U.S. tariff policies, local companies are seeking reliable partners with strong technological capabilities to secure stable supplies of production parts.
In response to these changes in the North American automotive market, Yangsan City selected five competitive local companies in automotive-related fields through an open call, based on KOTRA’s local market evaluation and consultation matchmaking potential: Gukrim P&Tech (PVC injection products), Doohyun Powder Metallurgy (volumetric pumps, geared motors & chains), Daehan Autotech (motor housings & covers), Korea System (side molding door garnishes), and Hansan GS (damping door closers).
At the Detroit export consultation, where 30 local buyers were invited, each company held one-on-one meetings with buyers to introduce their main products and discuss export potential. In Toronto, the delegation visited local companies that had expressed interest through prior research, bringing product samples to directly explore business opportunities.
In addition, the companies introduced themselves and their products at a purchase briefing held by the Detroit local subsidiary of Japanese global automotive company Aisin. They also participated in the "North American Mobility Supply Chain Entry Seminar," hosted by KOTRA and attended by trade experts such as U.S. customs brokers, where they shared strategies to respond to the rapidly changing North American market.
Yangsan City plans to ensure that this initiative goes beyond mere participation in export consultations by maintaining ongoing communication with buyers, aiming for tangible results such as contract signings and export achievements.
The head of Yangsan City’s Corporate Support Division stated, "This trade delegation is a strategic effort to help local small and medium-sized enterprises enter the global market," adding, "We will continue to enhance export competitiveness through customized overseas marketing support for our companies."
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