[APK 2026] Korea, Germany seek economic security without protectionism

What happened: At the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, Korean and German government and business leaders called for economic security without protectionism, closer cooperation on industrial AI and diversified supply chains. Why it matters: Speakers warned that tariffs could raise costs for European manufacturers and hurt export competitiveness, while arguing that supply chain security depends on trusted interdependence rather than self-sufficiency. Key numbers: 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business.

At the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, Korean and German government and business leaders called for economic security without protectionism, closer cooperation on industrial AI and diversified supply chains.

Speakers warned that tariffs could raise costs for European manufacturers and hurt export competitiveness, while arguing that supply chain security depends on trusted interdependence rather than self-sufficiency. Key numbers: 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business.