US warns South Korea against targeting American tech firms amid trade escalation

The Trump administration is warning South Korea not to target tech companies with discriminatory regulations and investigations, its latest effort to protect US internet platforms as it threatens higher tariffs on the country.

Republican elected officials singled out Seoul’s platform regulations and the Coupang investigation, condemning them as “hostile actions against US companies” and issuing strong warnings.

They criticized the South Korean government, warning of concrete follow-up measures in coordination with the Trump administration. On January 12th, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, a senior member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, posted on his social media X (formerly Twitter) after meeting with Minister Yeo: “I made it clear today that the Lee Jae-myung government’s targeting of US tech firms and unfair treatment of Coupang are unacceptable.”

Issa specifically warned, “State-sponsored hostile actions against US companies and citizens will have consequences.” He emphasized, “This is especially true for a 70-year alliance.”

Issa added “We will work with the Trump administration to ensure South Korea upholds its trade commitments, allowing US exporters to access overseas markets and preventing unfair treatment of American businesses.”

Republican Congressman Scott Fitzgerald also posted on X that day, stating, “I am shocked by the South Korean government’s recent actions demanding the prosecution of Coupang’s American executives based on politically motivated witch hunts.”

He added, “The US government will continue to pursue measures to hold South Korea accountable for its shocking treatment.” Following the US State Department’s official concerns over South Korea’s revised Information and Communications Network Act late last month, Congress has joined the pressure campaign.

There is still time for the US and South Korea, long term allies, to find a solution to this situation. And as long term allies, there is a high likelihood that a solution will happen.