The United States and South Korea will sign an agreement to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
On Tuesday, according to media reports citing a U.S. official, the Trump administration plans to sign an agreement with South Korea aimed at strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and 6G technologies. The agreement is expected to be signed on Wednesday by Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The agreement includes: reducing regulatory burdens on tech companies to facilitate easier storage and use of data across different countries and regions; improving biotech and pharmaceutical supply chains; strengthening research security and protection of quantum technology achievements; promoting cooperative projects in space and 6G communications technologies, among others. It is not yet clear which companies will participate in these cooperative projects.
Previously, the U.S. had signed similar agreements with Japan and the U.K. as part of its drive to build a technological alliance network:
- This Tuesday, the U.S. and Japan signed two agreements, focusing on trade investment and critical minerals supply chain security. The first agreement specifies that both sides will promote Japan’s $550 billion investment plan in the U.S., focusing on energy, AI, and key minerals, as a core element of the July trade deal. The second agreement concentrates on cooperation in extraction and processing of rare earths and other critical minerals, aiming to secure supply chains and reduce reliance on single sources.
- According to Xinhua, in September this year, the UK and the US signed the "Technology Prosperity Agreement," which focuses on fast-developing technology fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy.
Kratsios stated in a release:
“The Trump administration is redefining America’s technological leadership by building bilateral technology partnerships with allies like South Korea. Each Technology Prosperity Agreement presents tremendous opportunities to accelerate scientific discoveries and usher in a new era of innovation.”
Trump views emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing as key policy focuses of his administration. U.S. officials have made quantum computing a national security priority and are discussing providing financial support to some related firms. In artificial intelligence, the Trump administration is pushing for AI infrastructure development by relaxing regulations and construction permitting.
However, as the agreement on strengthening technological cooperation with South Korea is introduced, the U.S. and South Korea have yet to reach consensus on tariff negotiations. The current trade agreement aims to set the tariff cap on U.S. exports to South Korea at 15%, but talks are ongoing:
A key part of the agreement is South Korea’s commitment to a $350 billion investment plan. South Korea says the funding will include a variety of forms such as direct investment, loans, and guarantees; but Trump insists it should be a one-time prepayment, leading to prolonged deadlock in the negotiations.
Whether an agreement can be reached and the 15% tariff cap obtained is crucial for South Korea, especially for its auto and auto parts export industry. Currently, Korean car manufacturers face a 25% U.S. import tariff, while Japanese companies, after reaching an agreement with the U.S., have a rate of only 15%.
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