Ruling party urges cooperation with EU, China over US tariffs

By Choi Ha-young

Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, the chief policymaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), blasted U.S. President Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs on South Korean washing machines and solar panels, Thursday.

“As criticized by the American media, the so-called safeguard measures harm American industries’ competitiveness,” Kim said in the party’s daily meeting. “The ruling camp will actively counter the U.S. government’s trade pressure. I urge the Trump administration to stop such a unilateral protective measure.”

Kim’s remarks are in line with the Moon Jae-in administration’s prompt action to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization to protest the U.S. decision.

On Monday, the Trump government slapped steep tariffs on Korean washing machines and solar panels, under the pretext of “defending American workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses.”

The three-term lawmaker called for an international alliance in handling the U.S. tariffs. “The nation needs to effectively tackle the pressure jointly with the European Union and China. In addition to Seoul, leaders who took part in the World Economic Forum are up in arms against the policy,” he said.

“The ruling camp will come up with various measures in cooperation with Korean companies, to facilitate their rapid operations in the U.S. and diversify their export markets.”

However, Kim upheld the Korea-U.S. joint moves on security problems. “Seoul needs a two-track strategy. While consolidating cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue, it should put the brakes on unfair trade pressure, according to international standards.”