South Korea’s government has convened emergency talks after US President Donald Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on South Korean goods, including automobiles, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, accusing Seoul of failing to fully implement a previous trade agreement.
The South Korean presidential office said it was not formally notified in advance of the proposed increase, which would raise tariffs from 15 to 25 per cent, adding that officials were assessing the situation and coordinating a response through relevant ministries.
Seoul said it intends to communicate its commitment to the trade agreement to Washington while responding calmly, noting that any tariff hike would only take effect after required US administrative procedures.
The government also confirmed that Trade and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan would travel to Washington for talks, as it maintained that the agreement reached last year had reduced tariffs on key exports, particularly automobiles, and warned that a reversal could negatively affect South Korea’s export competitiveness, especially in the US auto market.