Amid growing concerns over potential U.S. tariff hikes on South Korea, Yeo Han-koo, the head of the Office of International Trade and Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, has launched a persuasive campaign during his visit to the U.S. He held a closed-door meeting with approximately 20 members of Congress responsible for trade matters. Yeo stated that it will continue to negotiate to find a reasonable solution that both South Korea and the U.S. can accept.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Wednesday, Yeo has been in Washington, D.C. since January 29 to explore rational solutions regarding trade issues between South Korea and the U.S. These issues have intensified following President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about potentially raising tariffs on South Korea. Reports indicate that Yeo has engaged with officials from the U.S. government, Congress, industry, and leading think tanks.
Previously, on January 26, President Trump publicly mentioned that South Korea’s investments under the trade agreement had not been processed through its National Assembly, suggesting he might raise mutual tariffs and item-specific tariffs, including those on automobiles, from 15% to 25%.
Subsequently, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan was urgently dispatched to Washington for consecutive discussions with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. However, the U.S. has reportedly begun administrative procedures related to the tariff increase, such as preparing for publication in the Federal Register.
In response, the South Korean government has mobilized its diplomatic, industrial, and trade channels, with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also visiting the U.S. to engage in persuasive efforts with American officials.
During his visit, Yeo conducted multifaceted outreach with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Congress, industry representatives, and think tank officials. He aimed to directly understand the rationale behind the U.S. tariff increase announcement and convey the South Korean government’s commitment to fulfilling existing agreements between the two nations. However, it has been reported that he did not meet with his counterpart, Jamieson Greer from USTR.
Additionally, Yeo explained South Korea’s position on the negative impacts that these tariff measures could have on both economies and industries, emphasizing the need for mutually beneficial solutions through constructive negotiations in the future.
Notably, Yeo visited Congress to hold a closed-door meeting with about 20 trade-focused lawmakers. He explained that existing agreements between South Korea and the U.S. are being diligently implemented in non-tariff areas, including digital trade, and focused on enhancing understanding among U.S. government and congressional officials.
During this visit, Yeo also conveyed South Korea’s stance on major concerns raised by U.S. industry during the government’s feedback process regarding the National Trade Estimate (NTE) report, which USTR publishes annually at the end of March.
Yeo emphasized that it will continue to consult intensively with the U.S. government, Congress, and industry to find a reasonable solution.