Washington: Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok announced his intention to engage in pivotal trade discussions with the Donald Trump administration, with the aim of reinforcing the South Korea-U.S. alliance. As he prepared to leave for the United States, Choi emphasized that these talks would serve as a stepping stone for future dialogues on strengthening bilateral relations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi, who also serves as the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, underscored the importance of this diplomatic mission. The agenda includes addressing the U.S.' newly introduced tariff schemes, which impose a 25 percent import duty on South Korean goods. Speaking at Incheon International Airport before his departure to Washington, Choi expressed hope for opening a channel for discussions to fortify the alliance between the two nations.
Choi's visit to the U.S. capital will involve participation in critical economic meetings, including discussions on U.S. tariffs. These meetings represent the first high-level trade talks between South Korea and the U.S. since President Trump assumed office in January. Accompanying Choi will be Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, as part of the "2+2 trade consultations" described by the government.
The upcoming discussions, scheduled for Thursday, will feature key U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. While the agenda for the consultations is still being finalized, South Korea is among the first nations to engage in trade negotiations with the U.S. following the implementation of reciprocal tariffs. The tariffs, initially set at 25 percent, have been temporarily reduced to 10 percent for a 90-day period.
Minister Ahn, set to leave for Washington on Wednesday, stated the government's commitment to achieving a mutually beneficial outcome in the tariff discussions. He emphasized the importance of minimizing the impact of U.S. tariffs on South Korean companies. Following the "2+2" consultations, Ahn plans to meet separately with Greer.
In addition to the finance and industry ministers, the South Korean delegation will include officials from various government ministries, such as foreign affairs, science, and agriculture, as they head to Washington for the trade talks.