South Korea calls for calm, orderly discussion in U.S. trade talks

South Korea is seeking “moderate” and “orderly” debate on trade issues as Asia’s fourth-largest economy reportedly aims to trade with the US to avoid tariffs.

On Thursday, South Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Dukgeun met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in a so-called “2+2” speech in Washington, DC.

According to Korean media outlet YonhapChoi told reporters that further stories will focus on four categories. Tariffs and non-tariff measures. Economic security; investment cooperation; and monetary policy.

Reading from South Korea’s Ministry of Finance According to a CNBC translation, Choi suggested seeking mutually beneficial solutions to both countries, conveying South Korea’s concerns about tariffs.

The deal is reportedly pursued by July 8th, the day US President Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff suspension.

Choi also said on Thursday that South Korea is a “trusted partner.”

AHN has strengthened South Korea’s energy security by proposing measures such as reconstructing the US shipbuilding industry and contributing from both sides to rebuilding sustainable and balanced South Korea’s US trade.

He requested mutual and product-specific tariff exemptions from South Korea, readout said. Both sides added that they have decided to continue working-level meetings and higher-level discussions in the future.

South Korea, like most other countries, is temporarily escaping “mutual” tariffs, but the country still faces 25% collection of steel and aluminum imports into the United States.

According to Carpro in the automotive market, South Korea’s Hyundai and KIA are one of the top eight bestselling brands in the US. The same goes for the country Fourth largest steel exporter to the US According to the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Bureau in 2024.

In a memo on Thursday, Ants said, “South Korea is highly likely to negotiate a trade deal with the US, but its election calendar could extend the timeline of the comprehensive agreement. A new government will be introduced following the June 3 election, and that stance is likely to shape the outcome of the negotiations.”

South Korea will head to vote on June 3rd to choose a new president. The country’s constitutional court resigned on April 4th over the short-lived declaration of martial law.

– CNBC’s Blair Baek contributed to this report.