US House panel summons Coupang over trade practices

The US House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to Coupang, a South Korean ecommerce company, as part of an investigation into alleged discrimination against US companies.

The committee is requesting communications between Coupang and the South Korean government and has called on the company to testify.

Coupang will cooperate fully with the investigation, including providing documents and witness testimony.

The move comes amid broader tensions over trade policies, with the committee’s chair, Representative Jim Jordan, citing concerns over South Korea’s trade practices affecting US digital service providers.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

A subpoena came after a Coupang data breach that has worsened U.S. and South Korea tensions

A November 2025 breach at Coupang exposed personal information from 33.7 million users. The company’s services reach nearly 34 million South Koreans, which is more than 60% of the population 1.
U.S. lawmakers called South Korea’s enforcement response excessive. A House Judiciary Committee account said authorities sent 400 investigators from 11 agencies, required 150 in-person meetings, held 200 interviews, and demanded more than 1,100 document and data submissions 2.
Greenoaks and Altimeter filed arbitration claims under the U.S.–Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). They also urged the U.S. government to review what they called discriminatory treatment of Coupang, which they said led to billions of dollars in investor losses 3.

Economic damage in South Korea is raising investor worries

Merchants who sell on Coupang said average sales dropped 30% to 40%. Delivery workers also said income fell as order volumes declined 4.
Reports and experts said regulatory uncertainty and perceived unfair treatment of a foreign company could cool foreign investor sentiment. This comes after South Korea posted a rebound in foreign direct investment (FDI) figures 5.
Some analysts said a domestic corporate crisis at a U.S.-listed tech firm can spill into trade and diplomatic friction. Coupang and its investors have lobbied in Washington and cited trade-agreement protections 6.