Seoul: South Korea's domestic beef producers have issued a stern warning to the government, threatening to stage a large-scale protest if the country agrees to expand imports of American beef as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. The Korea Hanwoo Association, representing approximately 80,000 local cattle farmers, has voiced its strong opposition to U.S. demands concerning the age of cattle from which beef can be imported.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Hanwoo Association released a statement during a press conference in front of the U.S. Embassy in central Seoul. The association declared its opposition to lifting the existing ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older. "We strongly oppose the importation of U.S. beef from cattle over 30 months old," stated the association. "The government must immediately halt its submissive negotiations."
The situation arises amid pressure from President Donald Trump's administration, which has been urging South Korea to ease restrictions on U.S. beef imports and increase rice imports as part of broader trade discussions. South Korean officials are reportedly working to reach a deal before the end of the week, as Washington is set to begin imposing "reciprocal" tariffs, including a 25 percent duty on South Korean exports, starting Friday.