Trade minister to meet deputy USTR in Seoul this week
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Jan. 29, as he heads to Washington, D.C., for trade talks. Yonhap
Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Rick Switzer is set to visit Seoul for trade talks with Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo this week, Yeo's office said Tuesday, as the two countries are continuing consultations amid a renewed tariff hike threat by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Yeo and Switzer are scheduled to hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss pending trade issues between the two countries, including non-tariff trade barrier issues, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said, without elaborating on further details of the meeting.
The two met in Washington last week after Trump made a surprise announcement of a plan to raise "reciprocal" tariffs and auto duties on Korea back to 25 percent, citing a delay in the country's legislative process to implement a bilateral trade deal finalized in October.
Following his trip, Yeo has said he had conveyed Seoul's commitment to legislating a special bill to support its investment pledge to the United States and efforts to address non-tariff issues related to digital regulations and others.
The upcoming meeting is again expected to include discussions on non-tariff issues amid growing pressure from Washington regarding Korea's push for digital regulations, as well as an ongoing probe into U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang's massive data leak incident.
During a trade strategy meeting held earlier Tuesday, Yeo said the government will continue "close" communication with Washington to find a "mutually beneficial" solution to pending trade issues.
He asked for support from related ministries to stably manage non-tariff issues so they remain separated from issues related to U.S. tariffs.