South Korea’s Eye-Opening Lesson in Navigating Relations with Donald Trump | CNN Business

Many companies are learning a tough lesson: when dealing with President Trump’s administration, any agreement comes with a big asterisk. You might think you’re getting a solid deal to boost American manufacturing. But suddenly, you might find yourself facing unexpected obstacles.

Recently, the U.S. government conducted its largest immigration raid since Trump took office, targeting a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia. Nearly 500 armed officers arrested 475 people, mostly South Korean nationals, sparking chaos on the construction site.

Witnesses described the scene as a “war zone.” Some workers resorted to hiding in vents, while others tried to flee into nearby water bodies. By the end of the day, hundreds were apprehended, halting operations at the sprawling plant.

This raid occurred shortly after Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met to discuss a $350 billion investment from Seoul to expand manufacturing in the U.S. This led many to think that new opportunities were on the horizon. But as we’ve seen, reality can be much more complicated.

In the business world, companies often need to bring their own experts to set up operations, train local employees, and ensure everything runs smoothly. Yet, short-term visas for foreign workers have become increasingly hard to obtain. This situation puts foreign companies in a tough spot, especially when they are encouraged to invest in the U.S. but lack the necessary support to complete their projects on time.

According to a recent Financial Times report, many Korean firms are in an “impossible position.” They are pushed to invest in U.S. industry while facing challenges in getting the right visas for their skilled workers. American authorities had previously overlooked these workers’ documentation, especially for short-term projects. This lack of oversight is now a thing of the past, as the recent raid shows.

In response to the situation, Georgia officials stated that they would continue to enforce immigration laws. They coordinated with federal agencies for the operation, demonstrating a strict approach to immigration compliance.

The raid’s aftermath is detrimental not just for those directly involved but also sends a chilling message to other foreign investors. South Korea, the sixth-largest trading partner of the U.S., was alarmed by the incident. The government’s decision to detain workers led to significant media coverage back home, showcasing the workers in handcuffs.

This has sparked outrage among South Korean officials. Choi Jong-gun, a former vice foreign minister, expressed his disbelief, emphasizing that these workers came to help American industries and create jobs. He questioned whether South Korean contributions were being met with hostility.

Imagine the outcry if a foreign government were to detain hundreds of Americans after a similar agreement. The implications for future ties between South Korea and the U.S. could be far-reaching. Hyundai has stated that its investment commitment remains, but future business travel to the U.S. will be under closer scrutiny, highlighting a tense atmosphere for international cooperation.

This situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in international business dealings, particularly under an unpredictable administration.

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