South Korea counts on shipbuilding to ease US tariff woes

South Korea's Shipbuilding Industry: South Korea, the world's second-largest shipbuilding nation, is leveraging its shipbuilding sector as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations with the US amidst ongoing tariffs imposed by President Trump. The industry has seen significant growth, contributing nearly 4% to total exports and employing around 120,000 workers.

Challenges Ahead: Despite recent successes, South Korea's shipbuilding industry faces challenges such as declining market share against China, a need for eco-friendly vessel development, and demographic issues affecting workforce availability. Orders have dropped significantly in early 2025, indicating potential instability in the sector's growth trajectory.