South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will head to Washington next week for a pivotal meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Seoul's finance ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
The visit, arranged at the suggestion of Bessent, will take place during the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Choi is also scheduled to attend a gathering of G20 finance ministers.
The talks come as South Korea aims to soften the blow from President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff programme. Though the 25% reciprocal tariff on South Korean goods has been paused for now, Seoul is pushing for a more permanent resolution. Acting President Han Duck-soo has prioritised engaging with senior Trump officials to minimise disruption to South Korea's export-driven economy.
Choi said on Tuesday the initial goal is to delay implementation of the tariffs while longer-term solutions are negotiated. Bessent recently said allies like South Korea could benefit from a "first mover advantage" by reaching an agreement in principle soon.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that the administration is reviewing more than 15 proposals and hinted that some deals may be finalised shortly.
The U.S. Treasury Department encouraged Choi to use the G20 sidelines to engage directly with Bessent, as both sides weigh options to shield businesses from the fallout of the new trade regime.
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On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
Iran has ruled out direct talks with senior U.S. envoys in the Gulf, saying any contact will take place through Qatari mediators. Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have met in Doha with Qatar's PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
South African police arrested more than 900 people during nationwide anti-migrant protests on Tuesday (30 June), as demonstrations across the country turned violent in some areas, although most remained peaceful.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U.S. official said.
Iran has ruled out direct talks with senior U.S. envoys in the Gulf, saying any contact will take place through Qatari mediators. Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have met in Doha with Qatar's PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
South African police arrested more than 900 people during nationwide anti-migrant protests on Tuesday (30 June), as demonstrations across the country turned violent in some areas, although most remained peaceful.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
At least five people have died after a fire swept through a 10-storey apartment building in the Belgian city of Antwerp, authorities said on Wednesday.
Eight Kenyan schoolgirls have pleaded not guilty to murder charges over a dormitory fire that killed 16 fellow students and injured dozens more at a boarding school in the country's Rift Valley region.
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