According to sources, the United States has requested through multiple channels that South Korea approve Alphabet's application to export the country's high-precision map data overseas. Concurrently, U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer has expressed significant concerns regarding South Korea's non-tariff barriers.
Within the South Korean government, there is a growing belief that even as South Korea accelerates and increases its investments in the United States, it will be difficult to mitigate the risk of potential additional tariffs unless American concerns over non-tariff barriers are addressed.
U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer is scheduled to visit South Korea in the coming days to engage in discussions concerning issues related to these non-tariff barriers.