South Korea and US to Conduct '2+2' Trade Discussions with Finance and Trade Ministers

Seoul, April 20 (NationPress) South Korea and the United States are set to engage in "two plus two" tariff discussions in Washington this week, as announced by the Seoul government on Sunday.

Leading the negotiations from Seoul will be Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, while on the U.S. side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will take charge, according to government sources.

The forthcoming tariff discussions were initiated by Washington, and both sides are currently finalizing the schedule and agenda for their meeting, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

In a statement on Sunday, Duk-geun emphasized the importance of thorough consultations rather than rushing to a conclusion during the high-level tariff discussions between Seoul and Washington.

During a television program aired by Korea Broadcasting System, the minister indicated that a Korean delegation is expected to travel to the U.S. this week for tariff negotiations and will adopt a cautious approach during the discussions.

"Our goal is to address outstanding issues in a reciprocal manner to achieve mutual benefits, as there are several aspects that require careful consideration instead of hastily finalizing a deal," he stated.

The minister also mentioned that the Korean delegation will exert maximum effort to obtain an exemption from U.S. tariffs on automobiles and semiconductors, which are crucial export items for South Korea to the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump has enforced country-specific reciprocal duties on approximately 60 nations, including a 25 percent tariff for South Korea.

These tariffs have been suspended for 90 days, allowing affected countries, excluding China, to negotiate with Washington.

South Korea is one of five favored nations selected by the U.S. for tariff negotiations, alongside Britain, Australia, Japan, and India.

"The tariff policies of the Trump administration are far from over. Tariffs will likely continue to be significant issues throughout his second term. In light of this, the government must persist in tariff negotiations," he remarked.

Regarding the potential inclusion of the costs associated with the stationing of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in the discussions, the minister clarified that the U.S. government has not made such a request.

Ahn added that the relevant government agencies responsible for defense cost-sharing discussions will respond if the U.S. side makes such a request.