From September 20 to 26, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves led a delegation of 15 American companies on a Cybersecurity Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan. This mission followed President Biden's Trilateral Summit with President Yoon of Korea and Prime Minister Kishida of Japan.
During his visit to Seoul, Deputy Secretary Graves engaged in meetings with various Korean government officials. Discussions centered around cybersecurity best practices, private sector solutions, enhanced collaboration on critical and emerging technologies, efforts to bolster export controls enforcement, and the forthcoming completion of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
Deputy Secretary Graves also convened multiple meetings with representatives from the U.S. and South Korean private sectors. These included a session with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, a roundtable discussion with Korean clean tech investors in the United States, and a meeting with the Korean Semiconductor Industry Association. These interactions provided valuable insights into sector-specific challenges and opportunities, with a focus on strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation.
The mission concluded in Japan, where Deputy Secretary Graves engaged in discussions with Japanese government officials to explore ways of enhancing two-way commerce, trade, and investment ties. He emphasized the enduring significance of the U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship in promoting economic and national security interests and ensuring prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Deputy Secretary Graves delivered a policy speech at Temple University Japan to cap off his trip, outlining the Department's commitment to advancing critical and emerging technologies. These technologies encompass semiconductors, clean technologies, biotechnologies, and cybersecurity.
Speaking on the importance of these technologies, Deputy Secretary Graves noted, "Who leads on critical and emerging technologies—computing technologies such as chips, cyber, and AI; climate and clean technologies; and biotechnologies—will profoundly shape the international economic order for generations to come. When the U.S. builds tech capabilities, it enables us to be better innovation partners with allies, including leading technology powers such as Japan and Korea.
