Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Jimmy Lai Convicted Under Hong Kong National Security Law in Landmark Case 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Judge Orders Return of Seized Evidence in Comey-Related Case, DOJ May Seek New Warrant 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Taiwan Political Standoff Deepens as President Lai Urges Parliament to Withdraw Disputed Laws 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Global Leaders Condemn Deadly Antisemitic Shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach During Hanukkah 
Special Prosecutor Alleges Yoon Suk Yeol Sought North Korea Provocation to Justify Martial Law 
Zelenskiy Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as Ukraine, U.S. Hold Crucial Peace Talks in Berlin 
South Korea will use Japan’s recent trade agreement with the United States as a reference while finalizing its own deal, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Monday. The minister explained that Japan’s outcome offers both advantages and challenges but provides Seoul with leverage in talks with Washington.
Japan’s trade deal, signed into effect by President Donald Trump last week, reduced U.S. tariffs on Japanese car imports to 15% from 25%. This has left South Korean automakers at a competitive disadvantage, as their vehicles still face the 25% tariff. Koo stressed that Seoul would negotiate to protect national interests and push for fair treatment in the auto sector.
The agreement under discussion includes a $350 billion investment package, with Seoul aiming to channel funds into effective U.S. projects. In addition, South Korea and the United States are negotiating foreign exchange policy terms, which will be announced once talks conclude.
Koo highlighted growing uncertainty from global tariff policies, noting that the Trump administration is seeking to preserve sweeping tariffs under a 1977 emergency law despite recent legal challenges. He pledged to introduce new strategies by October to address shifts in the global trade environment and strengthen South Korea’s competitiveness.
The minister also addressed concerns over labor issues after a U.S. immigration raid detained hundreds of Korean workers at a Hyundai plant under construction in Georgia. He assured that the government would coordinate with Washington to prevent such incidents from undermining South Korean investments in the United States.
Koo emphasized that South Korea must prepare for every possible scenario in trade and economic policy, making it “more pressing than ever” to respond swiftly to external changes such as tariffs and investment rules.
