Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo expressed optimism on Tuesday regarding the upcoming high-level trade discussions with the United States, anticipating a mutually beneficial outcome. The talks aim to address the implications of U.S. President Donald Trump's extensive tariffs.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han made these remarks during a Cabinet meeting. He highlighted the significance of the negotiations as Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun prepare to travel to Washington. They are scheduled to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday.
Han emphasized that the meeting, initiated at the request of the U.S. due to the crucial trade relationship with South Korea, is anticipated to pave the way for solutions that benefit both countries through open dialogue and cooperation.
The urgency of these talks stems from South Korea being one of the first nations to engage in trade discussions with Washington after the Trump administration's introduction of "reciprocal" tariffs on major trading partners. South Korea, heavily reliant on exports, faced a 25 percent tariff, which was temporarily reduced to 10 percent for a 90-day period.