{"id":2196804,"date":"2022-06-14T15:20:30","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T06:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nknews.org\/pro\/?p=2196804"},"modified":"2023-04-05T16:12:17","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T07:12:17","slug":"how-bidens-buy-american-rule-harms-the-us-south-korea-alliance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/06\/how-bidens-buy-american-rule-harms-the-us-south-korea-alliance\/","title":{"rendered":"How Biden\u2019s \u2018Buy American\u2019 rule harms the US-South Korea alliance"},"content":{"rendered":"
When U.S. presidents visit South Korea, one place that is almost always on their itinerary is <\/span>the Demilitarized Zone<\/span><\/a>. The inter-Korean border serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and a convenient spot for photo-ops to appear resolute and firm in the face of a hostile enemy.<\/span><\/p>\n But President Joe Biden did not adhere to tradition on his first trip to Asia. Instead he <\/span>visited<\/span><\/a> Samsung\u2019s semiconductor plant and <\/span>Hyundai Motor Group<\/span><\/a> and spoke about supply chains for microchips and investment in the U.S. Cooperation on critical and emerging technologies was also high on the agenda during his summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, as Seoul signed on to <\/span>the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The mutual commitment to cooperation extended to the defense industry. The two leaders agreed to strengthen partnerships in defense sector supply chains, joint development and manufacturing, while also deciding to begin discussions on a <\/span>Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreement<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That last part will be of especially great importance going forward, as an RDP agreement would allow South Korea to get around Biden\u2019s \u201cBuy American\u201d rule for government procurements that has prevented greater defense cooperation with Seoul in key areas. The problem is that U.S. domestic politics could get in the way.<\/span><\/p>\n