Washington: South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun has formally requested that the U.S. government exempt South Korea from its newly proposed tariff scheme. This appeal was made during discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, as reported by Ahn’s office.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn presented this request in meetings with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, U.S. Secretary of Interior and National Energy Dominance Council Chairman Doug Burgum, among other officials, during his official visit to Washington, D.C. This trip was particularly significant as it was the first official visit by a South Korean ministerial official since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office last month.
Ahn’s visit was prompted by growing concerns over President Trump’s administration’s plans to implement a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, as well as considerations for reciprocal tariffs and potential new tariffs on cars, chips, and pharmaceuticals. In his meeting with Lutnick, Ahn emphasized the worries of South Korean companies regarding the U.S.’s new tariff scheme and advocated for the exemption of duties on Korean businesses.
Both parties also explored ways to strengthen their partnership in strategic industries, including shipbuilding and advanced industries. To facilitate further dialogue, Ahn and Lutnick agreed to establish working-level consultative bodies dedicated to discussions on tariff strategies and shipbuilding collaboration.
During additional meetings with Greer and Burgum, Ahn focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy and trade. The ministry noted that Ahn also engaged with Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, who has introduced legislation to boost the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industries, to discuss potential collaborative efforts in this area.
Additionally, Ahn held discussions with Kevin D. Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation; John J. Hamre, president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Adam S. Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, to deliberate on Seoul’s approach to U.S. trade policies.
“South Korea will work to earn the best results from systematic and earnest negotiations with the U.S. on new industry, trade and energy policies based on our experience of successfully responding to the U.S. CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act in the past,” Ahn stated in a press release.