US, South Korea Seek Meaningful Trade Progress in Washington

The United States and South Korea have agreed to pursue 'expedient and meaningful' progress toward achieving reciprocal and balanced trade, following a productive bilateral meeting in Washington between U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and South Korea's trade minister Ahn Duk-geun. The talks come as South Korea seeks exemptions from U.S. tariffs introduced under the Trump administration's America First Trade Policy. Both sides emphasized the importance of reducing trade barriers and strengthening the trade relationship, with further technical discussions planned for the following week. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent welcomed South Korea's positive engagement and highlighted the shared goal of encouraging rather than restricting trade. The meetings also included broader consultations on tariffs and economic cooperation, signaling ongoing efforts to balance the bilateral economic relationship.