This article was expressed on the ChosunBiz RM Report website on March 5, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Since the inauguration of Donald Trump’s U.S. administration, the domestic business community has been struggling to find countermeasures, while U.S. lobbying firms have been confirmed to request large sums in exchange for avoiding high tariffs and arranging meetings with President Trump and high-ranking officials.

According to political insiders on the 5th, H, a U.S. lobbying firm, sent a lobbying contract proposal to the heads of large corporations ranked within the top five in the domestic business community in December of last year. This firm demanded $100 million (about 145.4 billion won) as compensation for lobbying activities during President Trump’s term.

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) is speaking with reporters after signing the tariff imposition executive order on the 25th of last month. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, to Trump's right, is leading the high tariff policy on imported goods. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

According to a proposal obtained by ChosunBiz, this lobbying firm offered to reduce tariffs on exports to the U.S. to as much as 50% of the current level and to assist in simplifying trade procedures. It also stated that it would strive to enable the company's core business to operate without issues in the U.S. and provide opportunities to meet with President Trump and key officials in his administration.

The firm suggested that if the proposal were accepted, the heads could be invited to President Trump’s residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, and Trump International Golf Club. It also stated that they would be able to attend the presidential inauguration and dinner.

H proposed to open direct communication channels with the Mexican government, which borders the U.S. This includes arranging a meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, seeking tax reductions and simplification of trade procedures, and providing local business opportunities, which are nearly identical to the objectives aimed at the U.S. administration. The company stated that it did not accept H's proposal.

Domestic large corporations sometimes use U.S. lobbying firms to establish communication channels with key figures in the Trump administration. Lobbying activities are legally permitted in the U.S.

Chung Yong-jin, Chairman of Shinsegae Group, and his wife Han Ji-hee, who visited the U.S. on Jan. 18 to attend President Donald Trump's inauguration, are taking a commemorative photo with Trump Jr. (left) in Washington. /Courtesy of Shinsegae Group

Since President Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election last November, several heads of corporations have met with influential figures in the Trump administration. Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae, met with Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President Trump, at the dinner following the presidential inauguration and at Mar-a-Lago. Euisun Chung, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, invited Trump Jr. to the PGA Genesis Invitational Pro-Am last month.

In the business community, there is a prevalent opinion that companies lacking personal connections with key officials in the Trump administration or with weak diplomatic ties in the U.S. are likely to show interest in the proposals from U.S. lobbying firms. A business insider noted, “President Trump is expected to seek benefits from foreign corporations through various regulatory and policy changes beyond tariffs,” adding, “U.S. lobbying firms recognize the urgent situations of domestic corporations, creating good business opportunities for them.”