Seoul, Beijing discuss easing technical barriers to trade
The logo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources / Yonhap
Korea and China discussed measures to reduce technical barriers to trade (TBTs), covering a wide range of products, including power banks and cosmetics, Seoul's standards agency said Wednesday.
During a virtual meeting with Chinese counterparts, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) under the trade ministry said it delivered Korean businesses' concerns over Beijing's move to revise standards for power banks and lithium-ion batteries.
The two sides also discussed ways to ease hurdles to Korean exports of red ginseng, cosmetics and medical devices, it added.
TBTs, which include consumer safety standards, as well as energy and environmental requirements, are often used as non-tariff barriers to trade.
Korea and China have held regular TBT committee meetings under their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) since 2015.
"Recently, countries have increasingly imposed TBTs as they prioritize national interests and strengthen protectionist measures," the standards agency said in a release. "To address such hurdles, South Korea will proactively utilize government communication channels related to TBTs."