Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Do-hoon Meets with U.S. Lawmaker Who Proposed IRA Amendment for Consultation

Meeting with US Congress Members to Discuss IRA Developments
US Lawmakers "Requesting Treasury Department Flexibility, Will Continue Efforts in New Session"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Lee Do-hoon, the 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is visiting the United States to attend the Korea-US High-Level Economic Consultations, met with US political figures on the 13th (local time) to understand the trends of discussions in the US Congress regarding the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and sought their cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 14th, Vice Minister Lee met with Representatives Jimmy Gomez, Terry Sewell, Earl "Buddy" Carter, and Senator Raphael Warnock in Washington on the same day.

Senator Warnock and Representative Sewell each introduced bills in the Senate and House respectively to delay the IRA provisions related to electric vehicles by three years.

Representative Carter joined as a co-sponsor of the House IRA amendment bill. Representative Gomez is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Vice Minister Lee asked them about the discussions within Congress and the prospects for legislative amendments following the introduction of the IRA amendment bills, urging continued interest and efforts from lawmakers in the new session to fundamentally resolve the issues.

Senator Warnock responded that efforts to amend the law will continue in the new session and that he is requesting the Treasury Department to exercise maximum flexibility in preparing subordinate regulations.

Representative Carter stated that Hyundai Motor's investment is the largest in Georgia's history and pledged to continue efforts to resolve the issues with the bill.

Representative Gomez also said he would maintain interest in the legislative amendments to ensure that Korean-made automobiles receive equal treatment.

Vice Minister Lee also separately met with Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, to discuss Korea-US economic issues including the IRA, the Ukraine situation, and mutual interests such as development and infrastructure.

Vice Minister Lee asked Under Secretary Nuland to pay attention and cooperate at the State Department level so that Korea's position can be reflected in the Treasury Department's subordinate regulations related to the IRA.

Under Secretary Nuland said she is well aware of Korea's position and that the State Department will also make efforts and continue communication.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.