Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung speaks during a press conference at the ministry's office in Sejong, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

The incoming Donald Trump administration will have limited influence on Korea's food trade with the United States during the first two years of his presidency, until the U.S. mid-term elections in 2026, Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said Wednesday.

Song's remark came during a press conference at the ministry's office in Sejong, in which she explained the ministry's plans for the second Trump administration.

She said the ministry only has so many options for its current food trade policies.

Song noted that Trump can take only limited measures regarding trade with Korea until the midterm elections in 2026, which typically serve as a midterm evaluation for U.S. presidents.

"I assume there won't be much change throughout 2025, during which communication between Seoul and Washington will take place, and there may be clashes of national interests (before they materialize as actual policies)," Song said.

Song said Korean companies have already started expanding their manufacturing capacities for foreign markets. While the Trump administration may pressure Korea to align its trade policies with Washington's interests, Korean companies have secured sufficient overseas trade routes to mitigate potential U.S. threats.

"The Trump administration may want us to open broader segments of the (Korean) food market to U.S. imports, but the domestic market has already been sufficiently opened to U.S. goods," Song said.

"There's not much we can do in preparation for the incoming U.S. administration. As for U.S. beef, for example, it already makes up a significant portion of (Korea's) beef market, and the U.S. government wants that to continue. What we should focus on is prioritizing Seoul's interests."

The minister noted that the Trump administration could potentially restrict Korea's export of instant noodles — particularly Buldak products by Samyang Foods — by promoting American brands and establishing local manufacturing plants in the U.S. However, she dismissed the feasibility of such a scenario, adding that it is unlikely to materialize in the next few years.

"Many Korean food companies are already operating manufacturing plants in the U.S.," she added.

Song said the ministry has designated "new markets" for food exports, including India and countries in Central America and the Middle East, to diversify Korea's food export markets and reduce reliance on the U.S.

"We've launched a special task force to prepare for the Trump administration. However, as Seoul and Washington have discussed multiple times over their bilateral free trade agreements in the past, what our ministry is currently focused on is adhering to our principles," Song said.