South Korea’s chief trade envoy to visit Washington amid high-stakes tariff talks

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.

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