South Korea to Begin Trade Negotiations with US to Ease Trump-Era Tariffs

South Korea’s top trade official, Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, will travel to Washington this week to initiate trade negotiations with the United States, aiming to be among the first countries to persuade the Trump administration to ease or eliminate tariffs on its exports, Bloomberg reports.

Ahn will depart Seoul on Wednesday for his third visit to the US since Donald Trump’s inauguration. He will join Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok in meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

South Korea finds itself among the first nations to engage in direct talks with the US following Trump’s assessment of reciprocal tariffs on all US trade partners. South Korea has been subject to a 25% across-the-board tariff, currently reduced to 10% for a 90-day period. Additionally, the country faces a 25% levy on shipments of cars, steel, and aluminum.

Ahn’s visit follows Japan’s recent opening of discussions with the US on similar trade issues. While the initial Japan talks did not immediately lead to a halt in tariffs, preparations are underway for a second round of discussions later this month, according to Japan’s lead negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa.

Adding an element of uncertainty, South Korean officials are preparing for the possibility of President Trump personally participating in the discussions, mirroring his surprise appearance during the recent talks with the Japanese delegation. Trump later characterized those talks as demonstrating “big progress.”