Washington: South Korea's National Security Adviser, Wi Sung-lac, has urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to expedite a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. The presidential office announced this on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of holding the summit at an early date.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting between Wi and Rubio took place in Washington after President Trump sent a letter to President Lee, indicating the U.S. would commence a 25 percent tariff on all South Korean products starting August 1. This move comes with a three-week delay, providing more time for Seoul to negotiate a tariff agreement with the U.S.
During the discussions, the South Korean representatives expressed their desire for an early summit, aiming to achieve a mutually beneficial resolution to the ongoing issues. The U.S. side reportedly shared this understanding, as per the statement from Lee's office.
Wi stressed the importance of progressing with tariff negotiations in a way that would bolster the bilateral alliance between South Korea and the U.S. He also highlighted the necessity for ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
Rubio echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that South Korea and the U.S. would maintain close communication to finalize a trade agreement before the tariffs are officially imposed on August 1, according to the presidential office's statement.