Kim Yong-bum, the head of policy at the Presidential office, noted on the 31st that regarding the outlook for the U.S. item tariffs after the reciprocal tariff agreement with the U.S., "If there are item tariffs on semiconductors or pharmaceuticals in the future, we will also receive the same level of most-favored-nation treatment to ensure we are not worse off than other agreements."
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this month that he would announce tariff measures soon on various imported items, including semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. He specifically warned that "very high tariff rates, around 200%, will be imposed" concerning pharmaceutical tariffs.
With President Trump expressing his intention to expand item tariffs to semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, following the imposition of tariffs of 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on automobiles last year, there are predictions that domestic export corporations will inevitably face damage.