Fred Fleitz, Vice Chair of AFPI [Yonhap News File Photo] 

A figure classified as a member of Donald Trump's inner circle has characterized the U.S. House of Representatives' so-called "Coupang Report" as a timely warning, asserting that minor trade issues should not become a burden on the U.S.-ROK alliance.

Fred Fleitz, Vice Chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) who served as chief of staff to the National Security Advisor during the first Trump administration, published an op-ed titled "The U.S.-South Korea Alliance is Indispensable and Should Be Treated That Way" on the conservative news outlet Newsmax on the 2nd (local time).

Regarding the report released the previous day by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, which claimed that "the South Korean government treats U.S. companies like Coupang in a discriminatory manner," Fleitz called it a "timely warning." He argued, "By addressing these matters head-on, the U.S. and South Korea can demonstrate that they prioritize strategic objectives over parochial disputes."

Aligning himself with the Judiciary Committee report’s perception that the South Korean government unfairly treats U.S. firms, Fleitz emphasized that amid serious challenges requiring U.S.-ROK cooperation—ranging from North Korea's nuclear program to China’s regional ambitions—the two nations cannot allow tensions to escalate over minor trade issues.

He further argued, "President Lee Jae-myung’s pragmatic approach to U.S.-ROK security matters has already brought about significant progress in areas such as defense spending and nuclear energy cooperation," adding that "extending this pragmatism to trade issues would greatly strengthen the foundation of the (U.S.-ROK) alliance."

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee released an interim report the previous day under the names of the Republican chairman and the chairman of the subcommittee on regulatory reform, claiming that the South Korean government discriminates against U.S. companies, including Coupang.

In response to this report, the South Korean government expressed regret, stating that the claims reflect only the one-sided views of Coupang.