Bridging Policy and Profit: U.S.–Korea Cooperation in a New Era

Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta for an exclusive luncheon discussion with two world-class experts in U.S.-Korea trade relations and foreign policy. Hear strategic insights from Tami Overby, Partner at DGA Group, who draws on more than three decades of experience working in Asia to advise clients on investment and trade issues in South Korea and across the region. Overby will be joined by Troy Stangarone, former Deputy Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the Wilson Center, who specializes in economic and foreign policy relations on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. This program is presented in partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta.

Discussion Topics

• Short- and long-term effects of the 2025 tariff policy on bilateral trade, key industries, and investment flows

• Areas of mutual growth such as clean energy, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure

• How public-private partnerships can drive innovation and resilience

• How regulatory frameworks, trade agreements (like KORUS), and diplomatic engagement can support sustainable economic cooperation

• How regional tensions and global supply chain disruptions are shaping economic strategy

• How dialogue between government officials, corporate leaders, and academic experts to align economic goals and policy tools.

Background

The longstanding U.S.–South Korea economic relationship is under renewed pressure due to the Trump administration’s announcement of 15% tariffs on South Korean imports. These tariffs target key sectors such as automobiles, steel, and aluminum, and come amid broader concerns about economic slowdowns in both countries. In response, South Korea has intensified trade negotiations with the U.S., aiming to secure an exemption and resolve trade imbalances through a proposed “manufacturing renaissance partnership.”

Despite these tensions, the broader economic partnership remains active through the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and shared strategic interests. South Korea continues to collaborate with the U.S. on clean energy, critical minerals, and nuclear cooperation. South Korea plays a leading role in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), supporting global clean energy transitions. The two countries are also aligned on supply chain resilience and advanced technology development, including semiconductors and AI.

Distinguished Speaker

Tami Overby is a Partner at DGA Group Government Relations and is based in Washington, D.C. She draws on more than three decades of experience working in Asia to advise clients on investment and trade issues in South Korea and across the region. 

Ms. Overby most recently served as Senior Director at McLarty Associates. Previously, she was Senior Vice President for Asia and President of the U.S.-Korea Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In the latter role, she represented U.S. businesses during negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), directed the Chamber’s work with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and helped companies navigate market access and investment issues throughout the region.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Overby spent 14 years as President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, where she helped grow the bilateral trade relationship and supported the completion and ratification of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.  She currently sits on the boards of the Korea Society and the U.S.-Asia Institute and is on the Advisory Council of the Korea Economic Institute. Ms. Overby received her B.S. in business administration and management from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Distinguished Speaker

Troy Stangarone is the former Director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy and former Deputy Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the Wilson Center. Mr. Stangarone specializes in economic and foreign policy relations on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to his work at the Wilson Center, Mr. Stangarone is columnist for The Korea Times and a contributing author for The Diplomat. He is also a member of the Steering Committee for the North Korea Economic Forum at the George Washington Institute for Korean Studies, a member of the Korea-America Student Conference’s National Advisory Committee and on the Board of the International Council of Korean Studies.

Prior to joining the Wilson Center, Mr. Stangarone was Senior Director and Fellow at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) where he oversaw the Institute’s programmatic initiatives and focused on issues pertaining to economic and foreign policy on the Korean Peninsula. During his time at KEI, he was also a 2012-2013 Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow in South Korea, sponsored by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, and a Posco Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center. Mr. Stangarone also previously worked on Capitol Hill for Senator Robert Torricelli on issues relating to foreign affairs and trade. Mr. Stangarone holds an MSc. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Memphis.

Moderator

Rickey Bevington is an Emmy award winning journalist, President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, and Executive in Residence at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business. Georgia Trend named her among its “Georgia 500: The State’s Most Influential Leaders” of 2023.   Prior to joining the Council, Bevington spent two decades as a decorated television and radio correspondent and anchor. Named 2019’s "Best On Air Personality" by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, Bevington was the longtime Atlanta-based host of NPR’s news magazine “All Things Considered” on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Bevington is Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She serves as Chair of the Agnes Scott College Board of Visitors and was on Mayor Andre Dickens’ Women of Atlanta Advisory Council. She graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University with a degree in Comparative Literature. 

About the Consulate

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta covers 6 southeast states (Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) as well as the commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its establishment in 1976, the Consulate has been working tirelessly to promote ties between the region and Korea, as well as friendship between the peoples of both countries, the United States and Korea. In addition, more than 230 Korean companies also make contributions to the mutually beneficial economic development of the two countries through vigorous trade and investment activities. We would like to express our respect and gratitude to 270 thousand members of Korean communities. Learn more at https://usa-atlanta.mofa.go.kr/us-atlanta-en/index.do

Members of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta will find the discount code in the email newsletter.