In a sign of deepening industrial ties between Washington and Seoul, Jamieson Greer, head of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), held a closed-door meeting with HD Hyundai executive vice chairman Chung Ki-sun at a hotel in Jeju on May 16. The meeting follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s direct request for greater South Korean support in revitalizing America’s shipbuilding capabilities.
The talks, which also touched on a key vulnerability in U.S. maritime infrastructure—its heavy reliance on Chinese port cranes—suggest Washington is now eyeing South Korea as a potential strategic partner in more than just naval construction.
Currently, more than 80 percent of ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes at U.S. ports are manufactured by ZPMC, a state-owned Chinese company. These towering machines, equipped with sensors and communications modules, have drawn scrutiny in Washington over national security concerns. Some officials have likened them to “Trojan horses,” warning they could be used to gather sensitive logistical information, including data related to U.S. military operations.
In 2024, U.S. authorities discovered a modem not included in the purchase agreement installed on a ZPMC crane. Fears persist that Beijing could not only monitor American port activity remotely from ZPMC’s Shanghai headquarters, but also weaponize its dominance of global crane manufacturing by limiting access to critical components.
As tensions rise, the USTR proposed a 100 percent additional tariff on Chinese cranes last month—on top of the existing 25 per cent duty—effectively signalling a desire to push ZPMC products out of the American market. However, no U.S. manufacturers are currently capable of filling the void.
That opens a door for South Korean firms. During the Jeju meeting, Chung reportedly pitched HD Hyundai Samho’s crane production capabilities as a viable alternative. “We recognize and appreciate America’s commitment to rebuilding its shipbuilding industry,” he said. “HD Hyundai is fully prepared to contribute in any role needed.”
According to sources familiar with the conversation, Greer responded positively, and the talks ran longer than initially scheduled.
The meeting comes just weeks after the U.S. Navy Secretary’s visit to Korea, reinforcing the momentum behind a potential industrial realignment that would see South Korean heavy industries play a larger role in U.S. maritime infrastructure—both on sea and at port.
