South Korea's industry minister seeks exemption from Trump's tariffs

1/3/2025 12:08

South Korea's industry minister requested a tariff exemption in talks with the U.S. administration, Seoul's industry ministry said on Saturday, as Washington moves forward with plans to impose new tariffs.



Ahn Duk-geun met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington this week, seeking tariff exemptions from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and discussing ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the ministry said in a statement.



The industry ministry said, "Minister Ahn discussed strengthening partnerships in strategic industries such as shipbuilding and advanced industries with commerce secretary Lutnick. At the same time, he conveyed South Korean companies' concerns regarding the U.S. government's tariff measures and requested tariff exemptions.



Seoul's industry ministry said, South Korea and the U.S. have also agreed to set up a working-level channel to discuss tariff-related issues and cooperation in the shipbuilding sector.



Ahn's meeting with Lutnick marked the first ministerial-level trade talks between the countries in Trump's second term, taking place amid a diplomatic vacuum as impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is suspended from duties over his short-lived imposition of martial law.



Ahn travelled to Washington, D.C. earlier this week to push for an exemption from U.S. steel tariffs and discuss ways to cooperate in energy and shipbuilding.