"Supply Chain Restructuring, Expanded AI Investment, and the Spread of the Korean Wave"—Next Year's Trade Trends

[Financial News] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 15th that it held a World Market Strategy Meeting, chaired by Yeo Han-koo, Head of Trade Negotiations. The meeting was attended by Commercial Attaches from major countries and the heads of 10 regional headquarters overseeing 131 Korea Business Centers (KBCs) operated by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
The meeting was organized to assess the 2026 trade environment in each region, based on information gathered by Commercial Attaches and KOTRA’s regional headquarters from overseas markets. Participants discussed tailored regional strategies, ways to expand exports, and approaches to attract investment.
First, Commercial Attaches from major export destinations shared updates on policy trends, such as the rise of protectionism following the launch of the new U.S. administration, national industrial development policies, and the status of local companies. In addition, KBCs around the world presented market outlooks and entry strategies for the coming year.
Regarding next year’s global market changes and entry strategies, KOTRA highlighted several new opportunities based on field information collected by its KBCs: global supply chain restructuring (including the rebuilding of U.S. manufacturing centered on advanced industries, diversification of supply chains focused on European strategic sectors, and the establishment of regional production systems); expanded global AI investment (such as the AI transformation of Chinese manufacturing and AI infrastructure investment in emerging economies); and the evolution of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) into K-Lifestyle, with K-consumer goods gaining traction in India and Latin America.
Yeo Han-koo emphasized, "Despite challenging conditions, our exports achieved a record high for the period through November this year. However, with the continued expansion of protectionism, the global market environment facing our companies will remain tough. We will stay ahead of global market changes and prepare accordingly, so that our companies can seize new opportunities worldwide."

aber@fnnews.com Park Ji-young Reporter