South Korea seeks exemption from US tariffs

8patria) - South Korean Trade Minister asked his US counterpart to exempt his country from reciprocal tariffs if they come into effect in April, the trade ministry announced on Saturday.

During a visit to Washington this week, Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and stressed that South Korea should not be treated unfavourably, the ministry said in a statement, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs for all of the United States' trading partners from April 2. Earlier this month, Trump singled out South Korea for imposing high tariffs. He said that the tariffs of the US's Asian ally were four times higher than US tariffs.
Seoul disputed this. As of 2024, South Korea's effective tariff rate on US imports was 0.79% because the two countries have a free trade agreement, according to the South Korean government.

"Both sides share the view that they will continue talks to seek constructive and mutually beneficial progress in tariff and non-tariff measures in the future," the trade ministry said.

South Korea's Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who said Trump's America First policy was aimed at Seoul, ordered the government to communicate more actively with the US administration to resolve any misunderstandings about tariffs.