Seoul seeks clarity on timing of U.S. auto-tariff cut

South Korea says it must hold further talks with Washington before a promised reduction in U.S. import tariffs on Korean cars can take effect, leaving a 15 % duty—due to replace the current 25 % rate on Thursday—in doubt.

South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan told parliament on Wednesday that Seoul and Washington “need additional consultations” to set a start date for the lower tariff on car exports to the United States.

The uncertainty follows President Donald Trump’s announcement last week that most South-Korean goods, including vehicles, would face a reduced 15 % levy as part of a wider trade accord with a key Asian ally. The new rate is scheduled to begin on Thursday, but Kim said no timetable had been finalised.

Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said he would travel to Washington this week to urge the White House to sign an executive order that would similarly lower U.S. duties on Japanese cars.

Kim added that the two countries would keep talking about proposed online-platform legislation to ensure U.S. technology companies are treated on a par with domestic operators, an issue that “remains a major concern” for U.S. officials and businesses.

No deal was reached on opening South Korea’s farm market to more U.S. beef, rice or fruit, but the minister agreed to streamline quarantine inspections—regarded in Washington as a non-tariff barrier. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the United States had pressed for “a rational and scientific” clearance process for produce exports.

The tariff dispute comes as South Korea, the world’s seventh-largest exporter, seeks to balance its security alliance with the United States against economic ties with China, its biggest trading partner.

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