The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea announced Tuesday the release of its 2025 Business Environment Insight Report: APEC Special Edition, offering an in-depth analysis of Korea’s regulatory landscape for US businesses.

The report comes amid growing uncertainty in the bilateral trade environment, following the Trump administration’s recent proposal of a 25 percent tariff on South Korean imports. In this context, AmCham emphasized the urgent need for Korea to enhance regulatory transparency, reduce duplicative policies and align with global standards.

Released in anticipation of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Korea later this year, the report outlines key policy recommendations across 12 major sectors, including digital economy, energy and pharmaceuticals. It identifies around 70 unresolved or newly emerging regulatory issues impacting US companies.

“As challenges rise with the announcement of new tariffs, our confidence in the strength of the bilateral economic partnership remains unchanged,” said AmCham Chair and CEO James Kim.

“This report serves as a practical roadmap for improving market access and strengthening Korea’s position as a competitive and reliable destination for global business.”

The report also highlights the positive impact of the Korea Free Trade Agreement, which has significantly expanded bilateral trade. AmCham said it aims to work closely with both governments to foster sustainable growth and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

By Park Soo-bin (spark@heraldcorp.com)