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Industry minister, trade chief visit U.S. to discuss tariff issues

Published: 07 Mar. 2026, 16:14

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan speaks before his departure to Canada at Incheon International Airport on March 5. [NEWS1]

Korea's industry minister and trade chief visited the United States this week to coordinate responses to tariff issues and other pending trade matters between Seoul and Washington, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said Saturday.

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met separately with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday to discuss pending bilateral trade issues.

The visit was arranged to ease uncertainty surrounding tariff policies following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down reciprocal tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and to advance the implementation of a bilateral trade agreement, according to the ministry.

During his meeting with Lutnick, Kim shared Seoul's progress in implementing the trade agreement, including legislation for a special law to support investment in the United States, and discussed ways to strengthen strategic investment cooperation.

Kim also stressed that previously agreed tariff arrangements between the two countries should be effectively guaranteed, as Washington pursues tariff policies under laws such as Section 122 of the Trade Act and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act following the Supreme Court ruling.

Separately, Yeo and Greer discussed plans to implement nontariff measures outlined in a joint fact sheet issued by the leaders of the two countries and agreed to hold a joint committee meeting on the Korea-U.S. FTA at an appropriate time.

Yeo also conveyed Seoul's position that a petition filed by U.S. investors in e-commerce firm Coupang seeking a Section 301 investigation should not negatively affect bilateral trade relations.

Yonhap