Deputy Minister Jeong In-gyo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on the 11th, "It has been assessed that the United States has the will to proceed smoothly with trade negotiations with Korea and Japan."
Deputy Minister Jeong visited Washington, D.C., on the 8th and 9th (local time) to meet with high-ranking officials, including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and shared this upon returning via Incheon International Airport.
He noted, "This visit to the U.S. has established a framework for the negotiations on reciprocal tariffs for individual items such as steel and automobiles, which is the biggest achievement," adding, "Discussions were conducted in a more practical and friendly atmosphere compared to the first meeting." He expected that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) would primarily respond as the negotiating partner, with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce also likely to participate.
Deputy Minister Jeong also conveyed the stance on the 25% reciprocal tariff imposed on Korea during his meetings with William Kimmitt, nominee for Vice Minister of International Trade at the Department of Commerce, and Jeffrey Kessler, Deputy Minister of the Bureau of Industry and Security. He stated, "Concrete discussions were conducted to smoothly lead trade relations with the Trump administration," and added, "I believe the USTR will begin preparations for negotiations with Korea in earnest."
Meanwhile, President Trump announced during Deputy Minister Jeong's visit that the reciprocal tariffs imposed on Korea and other countries would be suspended for 90 days, applying only a basic tariff of 10%. In contrast, tariffs on China were raised to 125%, and China also responded with retaliatory measures of the same level.
Deputy Minister Jeong remarked, "The tariff war is heating up beyond imagination," and said, "I will actively seek optimal responses for our corporations dealing with China." When asked if this was the right timing for negotiations ahead of the June presidential election, he emphasized, "National interests come first over the schedule," stating, "It is the responsibility of trade authorities to achieve maximum results with minimal concessions."
Regarding the possibility of linking defense cost-sharing with trade negotiations, he stated, "I saw such a message on President Trump's social media, but this is a national-level issue," urging caution against over-interpretation.