Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026
1 South Korea Allots $120B for US Nuclear Power in $200B Energy Deal 🌐 Geopolitics Sep 29, 4:49 PM EDT 124/46
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▶President Trump announced a legally binding operating agreement that governs how South Korea will fund new power infrastructure across the US. Under the framework, Seoul will allocate $120B to build eight nuclear reactors, including two based on the Korean APR1400 design, and $22.3B for a 6.47 GW gas-fired plant in Texas to support AI data centers by 2029. This $200B package is the first tranche of a larger $350B trade deal pledge and limits annual investment to $20B, with profits split 50-50 until the principal is recovered.
The US has indicated that tariff rates on South Korean goods will remain at 15% as part of the arrangement. While the plan includes $54B for an Alaska LNG pipeline and export terminal, those specific projects will only proceed if legal and commercial conditions are met. South Korean companies are also seeking equity stakes in Westinghouse as the two governments finalize the construction sites for the nuclear plants.