Seoul: National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac announced on Thursday that he has engaged in discussions with senior officials from the Donald Trump administration during his recent U.S. trip to bolster ongoing trade negotiations as the tariff deadline approaches.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Wi accompanied Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo for meetings with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington earlier this week. The visit aimed to support dialogue on both security and economic matters between South Korea and the U.S., with a focus on following through on specific economic issues.
Wi also conducted a phone consultation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and met with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker. This marks his second visit to Washington this month, occurring at a critical juncture as Seoul faces increasing pressure to negotiate a deal with the U.S. to prevent the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on Korean exports before the August 1 deadline.
Originally, finance and trade officials from both nations were slated to engage in "2+2" high-level talks in Washington on Friday. However, Seoul announced earlier in the day that the meeting was postponed due to the urgent schedule of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.