Korea-US Trade Talks Remain in Deadlock After Raid Fuels Tension

South Korea’s top trade negotiator continued talks in Washington this week on a $350 billion investment pledge after an unprecedented US immigration raid stoked tensions, fueling debate in Seoul over whether the outlay is worth pursuing.

The push to finalize the agreement reached in July comes as both sides work to move past an the US immigration swoop at an under construction Georgia EV battery run by Hyundai Motor Co.-LG Energy Solution Ltd. After more than 300 Korean workers were detained and later released in the raid, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday, following Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan’s talks with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week.