Korean beef farmers warn of protest over possible rise in American beef imports

Beef producers hold a rally in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday, holding slogans in protest against a possible import on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Yonhap

Korea's domestic beef producers on Wednesday threatened to stage a large-scale protest against the government if the country agrees to expand imports of American beef as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.

The Korea Hanwoo Association, which represents some 80,000 local cattle farmers, issued a statement declaring strong opposition to U.S. demands that Seoul lift its ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older.

"We strongly oppose the importation of U.S. beef from cattle over 30 months old," the association said in a press conference held in front of the U.S. Embassy in central Seoul. "The government must immediately halt its submissive negotiations."

According to reports, President Donald Trump's administration has been pressuring Korea to ease restrictions on U.S. beef and increase rice imports as part of the broader trade talks.

Korean officials have been making last-ditch efforts to strike a deal before Friday, when Washington is scheduled to start imposing "reciprocal" tariffs, which currently include a 25 percent duty on Korean exports.