Harris: "Trump's punitive tariffs must stop... South Korean investment in the U.S. should continue"

"Trump's Scaling Back of South Korea-U.S. Drills Is 'Deeply Disappointing'
South Korea-U.S. Alliance a 'Lin​​chpin' for Prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific"

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is visiting South Korea, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's foreign policy and tariffs as "transactional" on October 14, while saying that South Korean investment in the United States should continue. She also emphasized the U.S.-South Korea alliance, calling it a "linchpin" of security and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a special lecture titled “U.S. Leadership and the Future of Alliances” at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 14th. Yonhap News Agency

At a special lecture and discussion in Seoul that day, titled "U.S. Leadership and the Future of Alliances," Harris said U.S. foreign policy was "increasingly based on blunt and overt transactionalism," criticizing it for "seeking only short-term gains and neglecting values."

"Punitive tariffs must be stopped," she said. "The United States should use its economic power strategically. It should not use it recklessly or maliciously, without a sense of responsibility." She also stressed that companies should be able to operate in the United States and around the world without uncertainty.

However, when asked about South Korean shipbuilders' investments in the United States and the tariff issue, she replied, "They should continue." She added, "The United States should also invest more in shipbuilding. South Korea is contributing. It is doing something meaningful for the world."

She also mentioned semiconductors, electric vehicles, and the Qcells factory in Georgia, which she had visited. "South Korea's investment in the United States is very large and important," she said, adding, "I hope it will continue to provide support, as it is doing now." She stressed that the investments were "not being made because of threats, but because they benefit the United States and the whole world," adding, "This is the foundation of trust."

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with Lee Jungmin, a visiting senior research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, after delivering a special lecture at the institute in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 14th. Yonhap News Agency

She also reiterated the need to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance. "Strengthening the alliance is about safety and security," Harris said. "It also helps strengthen the standing of the United States, not only on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region."

She also criticized President Trump's approach to North Korea. "It is deeply disappointing that the current U.S. president scaled back the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises that were conducted with South Korea," Harris said, adding, "The tariffs imposed on South Korea are disappointing as well." She continued, "It is also disappointing that the United States seems to be reaching out to North Korea instead," stressing, "We must renew our weakened commitments."

However, she said restoring trust in the United States as an ally would take time. "It takes a long time to restore relationships built over decades," she said. "I am well aware that people say the United States is a less reliable partner than it used to be." She also stressed that there was "bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress" for strengthening relations with allies, adding, "I believe this commitment will endure and grow stronger."

Harris also expressed concern that North Korea's ties with China, Russia, and Iran were growing closer. On extended deterrence, she said, "It is very important to maintain and ensure extended deterrence," adding, "The allies must work together to decide what the best course of action is." During the discussion, she also stressed that "the United States must be committed to strengthening South Korea's military capabilities."

Asked whether she might run in the 2028 presidential election, Harris sidestepped a direct answer, saying, "If we don't win the 2026 midterm elections, 2028 won't matter." She added, "So right now, I will talk about 2026," and said that after returning home, she would travel across the United States to support Democratic candidates running for the Senate, House of Representatives, governorships, and other offices.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.