S. Korea, US to hold 2+2 trade talks Thursday: acting president
Acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during a meeting of the economic and security strategy task force at the Government Complex Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
South Korea and the United States will hold "2+2" trade talks involving their finance and trade ministers in Washington on Thursday, acting President Han Duck-soo said, in what will be the first round of high-level negotiations to ease U.S. tariffs.
The meeting, scheduled for 8 a.m. (local time), or 9 p.m. in South Korea, will bring together Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun from the South Korean side and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer from the U.S. side, Han said during a government meeting Monday.
Immediately following the talks, Ahn and Greer will hold separate discussions.
"Our government will direct all of our strength to finding a win-win solution for the two countries by holding calm and serious discussions with the U.S. under the principle of putting top priority on our national interest," Han said, citing in particular the three key areas of trade balance, shipbuilding and liquefied natural gas, mentioned during his recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
"The consultation process with the U.S. will not be easy," he continued, acknowledging both expectations and concerns ahead of the negotiations. "However, the Republic of Korea has achieved the growth and prosperity of today by coming together and turning crisis into opportunity and challenge into a stepping stone for a leap."
Han said the government will prepare measures to minimize the difficulties of businesses while negotiations are under way and closely monitor the negotiations of other key U.S. trading partners, such as the European Union and Japan.
Han also stressed the importance of cooperation from all parties, including the government and businesses, the public and the press, and political circles, in ensuring the success of the negotiations.
Later Monday, Ahn will visit the National Assembly to brief lawmakers on the schedule and details of the negotiations, he said.
"I ask for bipartisan cooperation from the perspective of the national interest," Han said.