Philippines, South Korea Anticipate Positive Outcomes in U.S. Trade Talks

Officials from both South Korea and the Philippines have expressed optimism ahead of upcoming trade talks with the United States, aiming for outcomes that benefit all parties involved. South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok anticipate that the high-level negotiations in Washington will address recent U.S. reciprocal tariffs—currently paused for 90 days—particularly those impacting the auto and steel sectors, with discussions possibly expanding to tariff exemptions and broader cooperation. The talks were initiated at the request of the U.S., reflecting the importance of the trade relationships and the desire for candid dialogue. Meanwhile, Philippine economic and trade officials are similarly confident that their meeting with the U.S. Trade Representative will reinforce their trade partnership and foster mutually advantageous arrangements, following recent U.S. tariff actions. Both countries have held stakeholder consultations to align strategies and ensure their positions reflect domestic industry concerns. The broader context includes U.S. efforts to restructure trade relations in Asia, with China warning against deals that may undermine its interests.