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Korea, US hold '2+2' trade talks in Washington over tariffs, other trade issues

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By Yonhap
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Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, second from left, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the Department of Treasury in Washington, D.C. Thursday (local time). From left are Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, Choi, Bessent and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The Korean delegation is visitng the U.S. capital for the Korea-U.S. 2+2 Trade Consultations, with a focus on minimizing the impact of Trump's tariffs on the Korean economy. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, second from left, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the Department of Treasury in Washington, D.C. Thursday (local time). From left are Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, Choi, Bessent and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The Korean delegation is visitng the U.S. capital for the Korea-U.S. 2+2 Trade Consultations, with a focus on minimizing the impact of Trump's tariffs on the Korean economy. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance

South Korea and the United States held high-level trade talks in Washington on Thursday, as the Asian country is angling to remove the Trump administration's sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs on it and shield its industries from other new U.S. duties.

South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun joined U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer for the allies' first "two-plus-two" trade talks in the U.S. capital.

The Trump administration started imposing country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs, including 25 percent duties, on April 9, only to place a 90-day pause on them shortly afterward to allow for negotiations. Its 25 percent levy on automobiles went into effect on April 3, with the same-rate duties on some auto parts set to come no later than May 3.

Upon arrival at an airport near Washington on Wednesday, Ahn said Seoul aims to seek the removal of the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs and swiftly address Washington's auto tariff measures.

Observers noted that Thursday's talks may cover a wide array of bilateral trade issues, including U.S. tariffs and non-tariff barriers, such as South Korea's ban on American beef from cattle older than 30 months.

Discussions could also possibly extend to Seoul's financial contribution to the cost of stationing 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, as the Trump administration has linked defense burden-sharing to broader trade negotiations, describing its approach as "one-stop shopping."

The trade meeting took place at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, located near the White House. The location is seen as minimizing the likelihood of an unexpected appearance by Trump.