Korea under pressure to invest in Louisiana LNG to lower US tariffs

A U.S. request for Korea to invest in Louisiana’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry has emerged as a key agenda item in ongoing trade talks between the two countries. U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on Korean goods back to 25 percent from 15 percent — the level agreed upon last November — has been attributed partly to Seoul’s rejection of that request. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Friday neither confirmed nor denied a report that Washington began warning of the tariff hike after Korea refused to invest in Louisiana LNG export terminals. Citing multiple government sources, the Dong-A Ilbo reported that Seoul’s trade negotiators told their U.S. counterparts that it would be difficult to make decisions unless the National Assembly passes a bill to formalize Korea’s planned $350 billion investment in American industries. “Please excuse us for not going into specifics about discussions on U.S. investment projects,” the ministry spokesperson said in a press statement. The government’s working-level delegation sent to Washington on