Minister Kim Jung-kwan of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources will visit the United States on the 29th to begin talks related to the "tariff hikes against Korea." During the trip, Minister Kim plans to meet Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) said Minister Kim, after completing his schedule in Canada, will arrive in Washington, D.C., at 11:25 a.m. on the 29th.
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on the 27th that "the Korean legislature is not honoring the agreement between Korea and the United States," adding, "Accordingly, we will raise the tariff on automobiles, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, and all other reciprocal tariff (country-by-country tariffs) on Korea, from 15% to 25%."
Minister Kim will meet Secretary Lutnick to confirm the background of the tariff hike and explain Korea's efforts to implement the tariff negotiations. He will convey that Korea remains firmly committed to carrying out its U.S. investment plans and explain the National Assembly's legislative procedures to clear up U.S. misunderstandings.
In the meeting with Secretary Wright, the two sides are expected to discuss ways to cooperate in areas such as energy and resources.
Minister Kim said, "We will work closely with domestic industry and relevant ministries to discuss ways to improve trade issues with the U.S. side and continue mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries."
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) said Yeo Han-koo, head of the Office of the Minister for Trade, will also soon visit the United States to meet his counterpart, Jamieson Greer, the head of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), among others.