Evolving Dynamics in U.S.-South Korea Tech and Trade Relations

The U.S.-ROK technology and trade relationship represents a key component of the bilateral alliance and a central pillar of both countries’ economic and innovational strength. Total trade volumes exceed $230 billion, concentrating in strategically critical and high-tech sectors. Private tech sector cooperation compounds this strong trade relationship, with U.S. and Korean companies both playing major roles in the other country’s digital ecosystem. However, the bilateral trade and tech relationship also faces headwinds: Korean digital policies and competition enforcement against U.S. firms have raised persistent concerns from the Trump administration and U.S. Congress. Despite groundbreaking commitments—informed by NBR research—in the November 2025 Joint Fact Sheet, questions about implementation and concerns over new legislative proposals persist and have led to continued bilateral negotiations.

Please join the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) in-person on Thursday, February 26 from 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. for an expert discussion that will cover recent developments and share the findings of NBR’s ongoing research into U.S.-ROK technology and trade relations.

1:30 p.m. – Welcome Remarks

• Doug Strub, Senior Director, Research and Programs, The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR)

1:40 p.m. – Panel Discussion

• Jonathon Marek, Assistant Director, Technology and Geoeconomic Affairs, NBR (moderator)
• Tami Overby, Partner, DGA Group; Advisor, NBR
• Elissa Alben, Vice President, Global Affairs, U.S. and Canada, Netflix
• Nigel Cory, Director, Digital, Trade, and Technology Policy, Crowell Global Advisors; Nonresident Fellow, NBR

3:00 p.m. – Event concludes

Tami Overby is a Partner at DGA Group Government Relations, where she advises clients on Asian investment and trade matters. She is also a member of NBR’s Board of Advisors. Her background includes over 20 years living and working in Seoul. Previously, she served as President of the U.S.-Korea Business Council, President of AMCHAM Korea, and led the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Asia Practice.

Elissa Alben is Vice President of Global Affairs, U.S. and Canada at Netflix. Her background includes over 20 years working in the public and private sector on international trade, investement, and negotiations across healthcare, digital innovation, and AI issues. Most recently, she was Vice President and Head of Global Innovation, Trade Policy, and International Government at Pfizer. Prior to joining Pfizer she held positions at the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Nigel Cory is Director of Digital, Trade, and Technology Policy at Crowell Global Advisors, where he focuses on cross-border data flows, data governance, intellectual property, and how they each relate to digital trade and the digital economy. He is also a Nonresident Fellow at NBR. Previously, he held positions at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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