South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, will travel to the United States from June 22 to 27 for a new round of high-level discussions aimed at resolving escalating trade tensions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on Saturday.
Yeo is expected to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and engage in the third round of bilateral technical talks. While the ministry did not disclose the full details of the meetings, officials confirmed that the discussions will centre around the current tariff impasse and the path toward a resolution.
The visit comes at a critical juncture, as South Korea faces a two-pronged tariff regime imposed by the United States — a 10% blanket duty and a 25% country-specific tariff. The latter was temporarily suspended for 90 days following initial negotiations in late April, during which both countries agreed to pursue a mutually acceptable deal by July 8.
South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, is under pressure to secure relief from the tariffs, which have weighed heavily on exports and industrial output. The urgency is heightened by the country’s unexpected economic contraction in the first quarter, a downturn attributed in part to U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping protectionist measures and domestic instability following the December imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Trade officials say the upcoming Washington visit could be decisive in shaping a longer-term agreement. “We are approaching the final window to produce a sustainable outcome before the temporary tariff suspension expires,” one official told Reuters.
Observers expect the talks to also touch on semiconductor exports, automotive access, and strategic supply chain resilience — sectors where U.S.-Korea cooperation remains critical amid intensifying global economic shifts.
As the July 8 deadline approaches, both sides face mounting pressure to demonstrate progress and prevent a renewed disruption of bilateral trade, which totaled over $180 billion in 2024.
Foreign ministers meeting in Istanbul on Friday warned that renewed military strikes on Iran could deepen the regional conflict, urging diplomatic ...
Georgia’s Constitutional Court has extended hearings in a case seeking to ban five opposition parties, with proceedings now set to continue u...
Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to step up counterterrorism cooperation as security concerns over Afghanistan grow and tensions between...
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Russia is willing in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in November, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
Armenian authorities have detained 10 more people in a vote-buying investigation involving the opposition Strong Armenia party, just two days before local elections in the northern town of Stepanavan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met India’s Minister of External Affairs in Baku for talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, investment, energy and technology.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Greece’s parliament has passed a bill banning under-15s from using social media from 1 January 2027, as the country steps up efforts to protect children online. The new law will require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday that 70,000 security forces would be mobilised throughout the country to keep order on Saturday, adding there have been calls for looting and violence from the ultra-left.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment