This paper addresses how South Korea, a mid-sized ally of the United States, can best navigate clearly identifiable risks, crafting a positive and pragmatic international trade policy. The authors’ primary recommendations are that Korea should (1) increase mutually advantageous investment in and with the United States in key sectors; (2) enter into formal agreements with the United States to support each other’s essential security interests, such as in fostering capabilities in semiconductors, batteries, critical minerals, and vaccine production; (3) find mutually beneficial solutions for Section 232 steel tariffs and explore Korea’s participation in the green steel talks with other like-minded countries