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U.S. trade barrier report cites S. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues | Yonhap News Agency
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Summary
Trade Representative (USTR) has released an annual report on foreign trade barriers that cited South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) procurement practice, digital regulations and forced labor-linked issues, to name a few. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection has issued a "withhold release order" against sea salt products produced in Korea by a Korean salt farm "based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor." As it did last year, the office also noted South Korea's defense offset trade program under which Seoul has set certain conditions for foreign defense contractors to meet for defense industrial cooperation when they engage in key government procurement projects. "The Korean government has pursued policies that prioritize local technology and products over foreign defense technology through its defense offset program," it said. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues Next U.S. trade barrier report cites S. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues
## Summary
Trade Representative (USTR) has released an annual report on foreign trade barriers that cited South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) procurement practice, digital regulations and forced labor-linked issues, to name a few. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection has issued a "withhold release order" against sea salt products produced in Korea by a Korean salt farm "based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor." As it did last year, the office also noted South Korea's defense offset trade program under which Seoul has set certain conditions for foreign defense contractors to meet for defense industrial cooperation when they engage in key government procurement projects. "The Korean government has pursued policies that prioritize local technology and products over foreign defense technology through its defense offset program," it said. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues Next U.S. trade barrier report cites S. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues
## Article Content
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By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released an annual report on foreign trade barriers that cited South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) procurement practice, digital regulations and forced labor-linked issues, to name a few.
The office issued the 2026 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is carrying out trade investigations on South Korea, China, Japan and other trading partners, which might result in new tariffs or other measures.
On AI, it pointed out that U.S. cloud service providers reported that last year, Seoul's science ministry issued tenders for high-performance graphics processing unit chips and additional cloud resources that were only accessible to domestic bidders, thus excluding U.S. companies from participating.
It also listed a series of issues related to South Korea's digital regulation efforts, including the introduction of bills requiring foreign content providers to pay network usage fees, and restrictions on the export of location-based data and the transfer of personal data outside Korea.
On the labor front, the office said that Korea does not have a ban on the importation of goods produced with forced or compulsory labor.
"Therefore, such goods can enter and compete in Korea's market," it said.
In particular, the report mentioned that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection has issued a "withhold release order" against sea salt products produced in Korea by a Korean salt farm "based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor."
As it did last year, the office also noted South Korea's defense offset trade program under which Seoul has set certain conditions for foreign defense contractors to meet for defense industrial cooperation when they engage in key government procurement projects.
"The Korean government has pursued policies that prioritize local technology and products over foreign defense technology through its defense offset program," it said.
This file photo, released by Reuters, shows U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer arriving for U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
Keywords
#USTR
#trade barrier
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U.S. trade barrier report cites S. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
N/A
### Areas for Consideration
- Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #USTR #trade barrier Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
### Implications
- President Donald Trump's administration is carrying out trade investigations on South Korea, China, Japan and other trading partners, which might result in new tariffs or other measures.
- It also listed a series of issues related to South Korea's digital regulation efforts, including the introduction of bills requiring foreign content providers to pay network usage fees, and restrictions on the export of location-based data and the transfer of personal data outside Korea.
- Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #USTR #trade barrier Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Korea to remove 'China (Taiwan)' label from e-arrival system after Taiwan's protest (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Indonesian president visits S.
### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, trade, labor topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 637.
Trade Representative (USTR) has released an annual report on foreign trade barriers that cited South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) procurement practice, digital regulations and forced labor-linked issues, to name a few. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection has issued a "withhold release order" against sea salt products produced in Korea by a Korean salt farm "based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor." As it did last year, the office also noted South Korea's defense offset trade program under which Seoul has set certain conditions for foreign defense contractors to meet for defense industrial cooperation when they engage in key government procurement projects. "The Korean government has pursued policies that prioritize local technology and products over foreign defense technology through its defense offset program," it said. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues Next U.S. trade barrier report cites S. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues
## Article Content
X
More
Linked in
Tumblr
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
URL is copied.
OK
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released an annual report on foreign trade barriers that cited South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) procurement practice, digital regulations and forced labor-linked issues, to name a few.
The office issued the 2026 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is carrying out trade investigations on South Korea, China, Japan and other trading partners, which might result in new tariffs or other measures.
On AI, it pointed out that U.S. cloud service providers reported that last year, Seoul's science ministry issued tenders for high-performance graphics processing unit chips and additional cloud resources that were only accessible to domestic bidders, thus excluding U.S. companies from participating.
It also listed a series of issues related to South Korea's digital regulation efforts, including the introduction of bills requiring foreign content providers to pay network usage fees, and restrictions on the export of location-based data and the transfer of personal data outside Korea.
On the labor front, the office said that Korea does not have a ban on the importation of goods produced with forced or compulsory labor.
"Therefore, such goods can enter and compete in Korea's market," it said.
In particular, the report mentioned that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection has issued a "withhold release order" against sea salt products produced in Korea by a Korean salt farm "based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor."
As it did last year, the office also noted South Korea's defense offset trade program under which Seoul has set certain conditions for foreign defense contractors to meet for defense industrial cooperation when they engage in key government procurement projects.
"The Korean government has pursued policies that prioritize local technology and products over foreign defense technology through its defense offset program," it said.
This file photo, released by Reuters, shows U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer arriving for U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
Keywords
#USTR
#trade barrier
Articles with issue keywords
Most Liked
(2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma
Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me'
(Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot
(News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation
(LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang'
Most Saved
(2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma
(News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation
Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me'
(Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot
Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold
Most Viewed
All Categories
(LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs
S. Korea to remove 'China (Taiwan)' label from e-arrival system after Taiwan's protest
(LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed
(News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break
Most Viewed More
Most Viewed Photos
Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang
Indonesian president visits S. Korea
Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang
Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang
prev
U.S. trade barrier report cites S. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues
Next
U.S. trade barrier report cites S. Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation, forced labor issues
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
N/A
### Areas for Consideration
- Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #USTR #trade barrier Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
### Implications
- President Donald Trump's administration is carrying out trade investigations on South Korea, China, Japan and other trading partners, which might result in new tariffs or other measures.
- It also listed a series of issues related to South Korea's digital regulation efforts, including the introduction of bills requiring foreign content providers to pay network usage fees, and restrictions on the export of location-based data and the transfer of personal data outside Korea.
- Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #USTR #trade barrier Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Korea to remove 'China (Taiwan)' label from e-arrival system after Taiwan's protest (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Indonesian president visits S.
### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, trade, labor topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 637.
korea
trade
labor
news
report
foreign
forced
defense
Original Source
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260401008300315