Korea's Strategic Response to U.S. Tariff Policies

Cheong In-gyo, the head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, is set to visit Washington, D.C., in a critical move to address the escalating tariff tensions initiated by the U.S. government.

This visit, scheduled from April 8-9, Eastern Standard Time, comes as a direct response to President Donald Trump's announcement of enforcing universal tariffs globally, including a 25% tariff on Korea. The Korean government, under the guidance of Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, is keen on negotiating lower tariff rates to safeguard its export companies.

High-Level Discussions in Washington

Minister Cheong's agenda includes meetings with key U.S. figures, notably Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The discussions aim to clarify the U.S. stance on its tariff policy and explore avenues to reduce the impact on Korean businesses. "We are committed to minimizing the adverse effects of these tariffs on our companies," a ministry official stated.

Cheong emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting the potential challenges for Korean exporters. "Maintaining open lines of communication with the U.S. is paramount," he added, highlighting the importance of bilateral talks in navigating these trade tensions.