Industry Minister asks US to exclude South Korea from new tariff scheme
Seoul (The Uttam Hindu): South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun has requested the U.S. government to exclude South Korea from its new tariff plans, discussing the issue during his meetings in Washington, D.C., this week. Ahn’s office stated on Saturday that he raised the concern during talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, U.S. Secretary of Interior and National Energy Dominance Council Chairman Doug Burgum, and other officials.
Ahn’s visit comes amid growing concerns over the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, as well as potential reciprocal tariffs. There are also discussions about new tariffs on cars, chips, and pharmaceuticals. Ahn expressed South Korean companies' concerns regarding these developments and urged the U.S. to exempt them from the new tariffs.
In his meeting with Lutnick, Ahn further emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors such as shipbuilding and advanced industries. The two parties agreed to establish working-level consultative bodies to continue discussions on tariff issues and enhance shipbuilding collaboration.
During separate meetings with USTR Greer and Burgum, Ahn discussed expanding cooperation in energy and trade. Additionally, he met with Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who introduced a bill aimed at revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industries, to exchange views on enhancing collaboration in the sector.
Ahn also met with key think-tank leaders, including Kevin D. Roberts from the Heritage Foundation, John J. Hamre from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Adam S. Posen from the Peterson Institute for International Economics. They discussed South Korea’s strategy regarding U.S. trade policies.
Ahn emphasized that South Korea would aim to achieve favorable outcomes through systematic and earnest negotiations with the U.S., based on its successful past responses to U.S. policies such as the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
