Deputy Minister Park Jong-won, speaking on behalf of the South Korean delegation, emphasized that nearly all tariffs between the U.S. and South Korea have been eliminated through their existing free trade agreement. This assertion was part of Korea’s major effort to address the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which have stirred significant concern in Seoul.
As a key global exporter and significant trading partner with the United States, South Korea is particularly vulnerable to these tariffs. The trade measures introduced by Trump have prompted South Korean officials to argue for exemptions. This argument was put forward by Park, who highlighted not only the free trade agreement but also the substantial investments South Korean companies have made in the U.S. He proposed initiating high-level meetings with the Trump administration to explore further cooperation and safeguard these investments.
During his visit, Park Jong-won also engaged with the U.S. Congress, advocating for measures that would retain incentives for South Korean enterprises operating within the U.S. This outreach is part of South Korea’s broader strategy to ensure that their businesses are not adversely affected by U.S. trade policies.
South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok remarked on the nation’s significant investment in the U.S. over the past two years, arguing that this financial commitment should provide leverage in negotiations regarding the tariffs. Choi directed officials to actively engage with U.S. counterparts and observe the strategies implemented by other nations like the EU, Japan, and China in response to the U.S. tariffs.
Notably, Japan has similarly requested exemptions from these tariffs, while China has retaliated with tariffs of its own. Acknowledging these dynamics, South Korea has been urged to take decisive action in its discussions with U.S. officials.
South Korea’s strategic push for tariff exemptions from the United States reflects its need to protect its economic interests. By leveraging past investments and existing trade agreements, South Korea aims to maintain stable trade relations and minimize potential damages from current U.S. trade policies.
