Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul stated that South Korea does not intend to hastily conclude trade consultations with the United States. The announcement comes as senior finance and trade officials from both nations prepare for high-level discussions this week.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho made these remarks during a parliamentary session prior to the "2+2" trade talks scheduled for Thursday in Washington. The talks are a strategic move by Seoul to mitigate the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff initiatives. Cho emphasized that the primary goal is to listen to U.S. concerns and provide preliminary feedback, rather than rushing the process under the acting president's leadership.
Cho also mentioned that while reaching a deal might be considered if talks are favorable to both parties, there is no immediate pressure to finalize anything. He committed to prioritizing national interests, with a focus on the timeline leading up to South Korea's presidential election and the end of the U.S. tariff grace period.
Regarding potential discussions on defense costs, Cho indicated that such matters should be addressed separately. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok are set to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for the talks.