Apr 8, 2025
Acting President Han Duck-soo and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday held a phone conversation ahead of the latter’s imposition of "reciprocal" tariffs of 25 percent on most South Korean goods exported to the United States effective Apr. 9. Eastern Daylight Time.
The 28-minute phone conversation wrapped up at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday, Seoul time.
Han's office said in a statement that the phone call — the first between Trump and a South Korean leader since Trump's return to the White House Jan. 20 — centered on a stronger South Korea-US alliance, economic partnership and North Korea's nuclear development.
Han stressed South Korea's willingness to ramp up cooperation with the US in shipbuilding, liquefied natural gas and trade balance. Notably, he said a ministerial-level negotiation will move on to strive for a win-win solution, in part through improving the balance of the bilateral trade.
Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday afterwards that he "had a great call" with Han. He added the talks revolved around South Korea's trade surplus with the US, tariffs in bilateral trade, South Korea's shipbuilding and potential large-scale purchase of US liquefied natural gas and defense cost-sharing regarding US Forces Korea, among others.
Trump also suggested that the call with Han was an example of how his tariff policy could lead to a “great deal.”
"Their top TEAM is on a plane heading to the US, and things are looking good," read his Truth Social post. "Like with South Korea, we are bringing up other subjects that are not covered by Trade and Tariffs, and getting them negotiated also."
Han had said Friday in an address following the Constitutional Court’s unanimous ruling removing former President Yoon Suk Yeol that he would work to deal with trade uncertainties without a hitch during his remaining days as acting president.
Friday’s historic verdict upheld Yoon’s impeachment for violating the law and democratic principles in his Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Han was recently reinstated as acting president and prime minister, following the same court’s divided ruling March 24 on his impeachment two months prior.
The phone call came about a day before the Trump administration’s plan to implement major 25 percent tariffs on most goods imported from South Korea, despite the bilateral Free Trade Agreement that has been in effect for the past 13 years.
South Korea is one of the 57 trade partners with the US that are subject to Trump’s executive order announced last Wednesday to address what he views is a "lack of reciprocity" in the trade environment amid the US' trade deficit. Countries that are not subject to any specific reciprocal import levy as per the announcement have been hit with a “baseline” tariff of 10 percent.
Automobiles and steel products -- on which Trump already imposed separate tariffs of 25 percent last month -- or semiconductor chips, tariffs for which are being separately discussed, are not subject to the US leader’s new round of reciprocal tariffs against South Korea.
Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo is now on a trip to the US in a bid to renegotiate the tariffs with the Trump administration, including with his counterpart, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Before his departure from Incheon International Airport Tuesday, Cheong said he would raise questions about how the Trump administration came up with its reciprocal tariff rate against South Korea, adding that he may propose that South Korea increase imports of US-made liquefied natural gas.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok was quoted by the Finance Ministry as saying that Cheong's visit is meant to continue negotiations to lower the proposed 25 percent tariff on South Korean goods.
Earlier on Tuesday, Choi said in a ministerial meeting that a 10 trillion won ($6.76 billion) supplementary budget will be unveiled next week and up to 40 percent will be used to address trade uncertainties.
South Korea is not the only country trying to renegotiate the US’ tariffs.
Trump previously revealed Monday that he had earlier spoken with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, while Ishiba said he urged Trump to rethink his tariff policies.
"Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately," Trump said Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett also said Trump’s reciprocal tariffs have prompted requests for meetings from over 50 countries for negotiations. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10460925