South Korea Trade Envoys Plan Washington Talks Ahead Tariff Deadline

South Korea is actively engaging with the United States to negotiate the extension of a freeze on U.S. reciprocal tariffs set to expire soon, with trade minister Yeo Han-koo and national security advisor Wi Sung-lac traveling to Washington for discussions. Yeo emphasized establishing a new mutually beneficial strategic partnership through these trade talks, addressing U.S. requests for greater access to South Korea's agriculture, automotive, digital, and service markets. Wi is also expected to discuss a potential summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Infrastructure, Transport and Housing Minister Chris Bishop is visiting the United States to learn from urban development initiatives in New York and affordable housing strategies in Houston, Texas. Bishop aims to bring lessons from U.S. congestion pricing and flexible land markets back to New Zealand to support domestic urban planning and housing policies. His engagements include meetings with city officials, experts, and delivering a keynote at the Urban Design Forum’s Global Exchange Programme.