On February 19, Dentons Lee hosted a forum and seminar under the theme “Trump 2.0 and Implications for Korean Industries.” The event featured speakers from the United States and Korea. The U.S. speakers included Susanne Cook and Bruce Chiu, both experts in international trade, export controls and international finance law at Dentons US, as well as Patrick Casey, Justin McCarthy, and Michael Drobac from DGA Group, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm with deep experience in trade policy and lobbying. The speakers shared insights on the latest policy trends, the political landscape in Washington, D.C., and key international trade issues.

The 67th Industrial Development Forum, jointly hosted with the Korea Industry Alliance Forum, chaired by Senior Advisor Marn-ki Jeong, brought together key figures from academia and the government, adding to the significance of the event.

In the evening, a joint seminar was held in the auditorium of the Poongsan Building, where Dentons Lee is located, in collaboration with the In-House Counsel Forum (IHCF) and the Korea In-House Counsel Association (KICA).

Patrick Casey, Managing Partner at DGA Group, opened the session with an overview of the political and economic landscape under the Trump administration. Justin McCarthy, a partner at DGA Group, discussed the potential for stricter regulations on steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, highlighting how expanding local production could be advantageous for Korean companies. He also addressed the ongoing discussions on eco-friendly shipbuilding support, stressing the need for Korean shipbuilders to adopt next-generation technologies for a competitive edge.

Susanne Cook emphasized the importance of developing strategies to respond to strengthened U.S. trade regulations and called for government-level support. Bruce Chiu pointed out the growing reach of U.S. extraterritorial regulations, which require compliance from foreign companies as well.

In the latter part of the seminar, Bernard Ham, a senior foreign attorney at Dentons Lee, provided an in-depth analysis of important changes and prospects in Korea’s growing global healthcare policy. Meanwhile, Michael Drobac, a technology public policy expert from DGA Group, shared insights on cryptocurrency regulations.

Through this event, Dentons Lee reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining close collaborative networks with Dentons US and DGA Group, further enhancing its ability to offer integrated global trade solutions.

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