The South Korean government will reassure Washington of its commitment to their tariff agreement and take a calm, measured approach in response to US President Donald Trump’s recently announced tariff hikes, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.
Presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom and national security adviser Wi Sung-lac co-chaired a meeting on US trade issues Tuesday morning to examine the current situation and discuss the course of action.
The meeting came hours after Trump said he would increase tariffs on South Korean automobiles, lumber and pharmaceuticals — as well as other “reciprocal” tariffs — from 15 percent to 25 percent in a Truth Social post on Monday.
Earlier in the day, less than an hour after Trump’s surprise notice, Cheong Wa Dae said “the US government has not issued any official notification or provided details regarding the measure as of now.”
“Given that tariff increases require administrative steps, including publication in the Federal Register, to take effect, our government plans to convey to the United States its commitment to implementing the tariff agreement while responding in a calm and measured manner,” presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written statement.
