Seoul to consult tariffs with Washington via "Korea-US 2+2 Trade Agreement."

According to a report by South Korean media "Maeil Business Newspaper," the Seoul authorities will consult tariffs with the Trump administration on April 24 through the "Korea-US 2+2 Trade Agreement." The key issues of the Korea-US trade disputes, including reciprocal tariffs on Korea's trade surplus with the US, cooperation in shipbuilding and energy industries, as well as non-tariff measures such as restrictions on beef and rice imports, are expected to become focal points of the negotiation.

Among the five priority negotiation countries designated by the US (South Korea, Japan, UK, Australia, India), South Korea is the second country to sit at the negotiation table after Japan. Whether President Trump will unexpectedly appear at the negotiation site and whether the US side will raise the issue of sharing the defense cost of the US Forces Korea (USFK) are also matters of great attention.

According to the report, the Korea-US trade consultation will begin on the evening of April 24 Eastern Time in the US. After Economic Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Finance Choi Sang-moo and Minister of Industry, Trade and Resources Ahn Duk-geun meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen and US Trade Representative (USTR) Representative Jamie Son Greer, Ahn Duk-geun and Greer will also hold individual consultations.

The South Korean government believes that this consultation is an "exploration battle" to understand the demands of the US side. On the contrary, the US emphasizes the "advantage of being the first to reach an agreement," thus initiating a race for speed. Previously, Bessen emphasized in an interview with Bloomberg TV that "[the negotiation] will be fast, and usually, the one who reaches the agreement first can reach the best agreement."

Whether President Trump will formally raise the issue of adjusting the defense cost is also a matter of great attention. In addition, whether Trump will personally appear at the negotiation site is also a matter of great concern for South Korean media.

Previously, Bloomberg cited sources saying that the Trump administration plans to use tariff negotiations with various countries to win them over, requiring them to reduce economic and trade ties with China, and thereby isolate and encircle China.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830214951626752/

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