As protectionism spreads among major countries like the United States and the European Union, and global supply chains undergo restructuring, the South Korean government is working with private experts to develop response strategies.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will hold the '2026 Second Trade Policy Advisory Committee' from October 27 to 30, conducting three sessions. This advisory committee, established to gather opinions from industry, academia, and research institutions on trade policy, operates under the 'Trade Agreement Advisory Committee Regulations' and includes 30 experts from various fields.
This meeting marks the first official discussion with advisory committee members since Park Jeong-seong took office as the head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters. The ministry has opted for a series of small relay meetings instead of a large-scale conference to specifically address changes in the trade environment and key risk factors.
A total of 21 advisory members from industry, academia, research institutions, and the legal field are expected to participate in this meeting. The first session will take place on October 27 at 5 p.m. at the Seoul Conference House Dalgaebi. Key discussion topics will include the expansion of protectionist measures by major countries like the U.S. and EU, the restructuring of global supply chains, and trade imbalance issues.
In the current global trade environment, traditional trade issues such as tariffs and non-tariff barriers are being joined by challenges related to fostering strategic industries, stabilizing supply chains, and ensuring economic security. The ministry plans to discuss response measures with private experts to support stable external activities for South Korean companies amid these changes.
Key discussion points will also include the stable management of trade issues in major countries, the expansion of strategic trade networks, and strengthening the connections between industry, investment, and trade.
This meeting is significant as it seeks to explore ways to link industrial policy and investment strategies with trade policy, moving beyond individual responses to protectionist measures. However, it will not finalize specific policy measures or additional support plans; rather, it serves as a consultative process to gather expert opinions for future policy formulation.
The ministry intends to use the feedback provided during this meeting to inform future trade policy development and responses to key issues, while continuously gathering expert opinions through various public-private communication channels.
Park Jeong-seong, head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters, stated, "Recent changes in trade policies among major countries like the U.S. and EU, along with the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, have rapidly expanded trade risks. It is crucial to ensure stability in trade relations so that our companies can operate in a predictable environment amid the rapidly changing trade landscape."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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