South Korea Seeks Exemptions from U.S. Tariffs in High-Level Trade Talks

South Korea has officially requested exemptions from reciprocal and item-specific tariffs imposed by the United States during a recent round of bilateral trade discussions held in Washington, D.C., according to Seoul’s Finance Ministry.

Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun raised the request in a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Ahn outlined proposals for balanced bilateral trade, stronger cooperation on energy security, and support for the restructuring of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

South Korea’s delegation was led by Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, highlighting the country’s commitment to navigating current trade tensions and advocating for more favorable terms.

The talks underscore Seoul’s effort to mitigate the potential economic impacts of U.S. trade policies while fostering a more stable and cooperative economic relationship with Washington.