Jung In-kyo, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, who is visiting the United States, noted on the 14th (local time) that President Donald Trump has decided to impose a "reciprocal tariff" starting April 2, and requested that Korea be exempted from tariffs or at least receive non-discriminatory treatment compared to major countries.
During a press briefing held at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., Deputy Minister Jung explained that he met with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jameson Greer during his visit. He stated, "Through the free trade agreement (FTA), not only tariffs but also non-tariff measures raised by the U.S. are being significantly resolved or managed, and he actively explained that trade between the two countries has expanded both quantitatively and qualitatively."
Deputy Minister Jung further commented on Trump's statement during the Joint Session of Congress on the 4th, in which he claimed, "Korea is four times the U.S. tariff," saying, "It is crucial to clarify the facts regarding the differences in perception between the two sides and emphasize that reciprocal tariffs should not be considered based on this. " He added, "The U.S. side was also aware that under the Korea-U.S. FTA, tariffs on both sides are close to 0% and agreed to recognize the utility of the Korea-U.S. FTA as a comprehensive economic cooperation framework and to continue practical discussions on tariff measures to seek reasonable and mutually beneficial progress."
Deputy Minister Jung particularly mentioned the 25% tariff that began to be imposed on steel and aluminum from the 12th, stating, "He conveyed the necessity for an exemption from the Korean steel tariff." He continued, "He explained that our steel exports do not threaten U.S. industrial security and rather contribute to stabilizing the supply chain and enhancing the competitiveness of downstream industries by supplying items that are in short supply in the U.S."
Deputy Minister Jung noted, "This meeting was the first face-to-face interaction between the trade authorities of the two countries since the inauguration of the new U.S. administration," evaluating that it would serve as a meaningful starting point to build a relationship of trust and a chance to adequately explain our position on U.S. trade policy and prepare for upcoming bilateral consultations.