Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun may visit the United States next week for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, diplomatic sources said Thursday, after the two-plus-two trade dialogue between the two countries was abruptly postponed. The envisioned visit, if realized, would come just about a week after Cho took office, as South Korea is striving to work out a deal with the U.S. to lower the 25 percent reciprocal tariff and sectoral tariffs on South Korean goods, set by the Donald Trump administration. The levies will take effect Aug. 1 unless an agreement is reached.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the allies were scheduled to hold high-level talks among the finance and trade chiefs in Washington later this week, but Seoul announced earlier in the day that the meeting was postponed due to an unspecified "urgent schedule" of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "Arrangements are being made for (the minister's) visit to the U.S.," a source said. "In light of the timing and circumstances, it's expected that if the minister-level meeting takes place, possibly next week, it will allow for discussions on all relevant issues."
Cho's likely visit would be seen as unconventional as it is common diplomatic practice that a new foreign minister usually speaks to his foreign counterparts over the phone before meeting them in person. Cho has yet to hold a phone conversation with Rubio.
"We are in communication with the U.S. side to facilitate high-level exchanges as soon as possible, irrespective of formalities," foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a press briefing. He was responding to a reporter's question about plans for Cho's U.S. visit. In Washington, Cho may use the trip to discuss with Rubio the timing of President Lee Jae Myung's visit to the U.S. for a summit with Trump.
Lee's national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, was set to return from his trip to Washington later in the day, amid speculation that his meeting with Rubio may not have taken place. Rubio also serves as the top security official at the White House.