Bitcoin surge

Key Points:* South Korea convenes emergency meeting over U.S. tariff increase.

• Hyundai Steel to invest $5.8 billion in U.S.-based mill.
• Trade negotiations aim to soften export impacts. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy swiftly organized an emergency meeting today in response to President Trump’s decision to double U.S. steel tariffs to 50% by Wednesday, affecting domestic manufacturers like POSCO and Hyundai Steel.

These tariffs significantly impact South Korea’s steel industry, which saw a 20.6% decline in U.S. exports. South Korea aims to mitigate effects through negotiations with Washington. Hyundai Steel plans a $5.8 billion investment in a U.S.-based steel mill, showcasing a strategic pivot toward domestic production.

South Korea Mobilizes $5.8 Billion Investment to Counter Tariffs

The South Korean government, led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, held an emergency session with stakeholders such as POSCO and Hyundai Steel to discuss the new U.S. tariffs on steel. The U.S. decision, announced by President Trump, plans to increase tariffs on steel imports to 50% starting Wednesday, posing challenges for South Korean exporters.

South Korea’s steel exports fell 12.4%, exacerbating the financial strain. In response, Hyundai Steel committed to a U.S.-based facility by 2029, aiming to sidestep these tariffs through local production. These measures reflect industry-wide attempts to adjust strategically to the new trade barriers.

“The government will work to minimize any negative impact of U.S. tariffs on the local industry through trade negotiations with Washington.” – Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea

Past Tariffs Spurs Strategic Investments in U.S. Operations

Did you know? South Korea’s past tariff-related tensions led to a strategic pivot similar to Hyundai Steel’s current U.S. investment.

As per CoinMarketCap, Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $2,533.12, with a market cap of $305.81 billion and a 24-hour volume of $13.25 billion, reflecting a 0.28% increase in price over the last 24 hours. In the past 30 days, ETH prices surged 37.86%.

Ethereum(ETH), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 00:52 UTC on June 2, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap Insights from the Coincu research team indicate that heightened tariffs could potentially push South Korean firms to seek new technological and financial strategies in trade. Historical trends show such tariffs often lead to increased domestic investments, potentially boosting technological advancements in responding markets.