SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) -The White House said Thursday that there is no clear timeline for U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened tariff hike on South Korean goods, underscoring continued uncertainty over the future of the bilateral talks despite a flurry of visits by senior Seoul officials.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a press briefing on Thursday said that she could not specify when Washington would raise “reciprocal” and sector-specific tariffs from 15 percent to 25 percent, as Trump warned last week.
“I don’t have a timeline,” Leavitt said, adding that the White House trade team would provide updates “swiftly and promptly.”
Trump last Monday warned he could restore higher tariffs on Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other products, citing delays in South Korea’s legislative process to implement a bilateral investment agreement.
Under the deal signed last November, Seoul pledged about $350 billion in U.S.-bound investments in exchange for reduced tariffs. But nearly three months later, related legislation remains stalled in the National Assembly.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the tariff hike was justified because “the Korean Legislature hasn’t enacted our Historic Trade Agreement.”
Despite a series of urgent diplomatic missions, Seoul has so far failed to secure assurances despite back-to-back visits to Washington.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun raised the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan separately held talks in Washington. None produced firm commitments.
At the heart of the dispute is Korea’s failure to pass a special investment bill needed to institutionalize its pledges under the agreement.
Ruling and opposition parties have traded blame while delaying legislation critical to economic interests, undermining Seoul’s credibility in Washington. In contrast, Japan has moved quickly to announce large-scale U.S. investment plans under similar pressure.
This political paralysis has given Washington added leverage and reinforced perceptions that Korea’s commitments lack urgency.
Still, some suspect the Trump administration’s renewed tariff threat appears have driven in part by domestic political calculations, with midterm elections approaching and foreign investment touted as proof of economic strength.
Returning from Washington on Thursday, Trade Minister Yeo said Seoul would continue intensive consultations to prevent immediate tariff implementation.
“What matters is whether there will be a grace period after publication,” Yeo told reporters at Incheon International Airport. “There is still time for consultations.”
He said the government is making “good-faith efforts” to implement the agreement and called formal tariff procedures “unnecessary.”
Yeo welcomed the National Assembly’s decision to form a bipartisan committee to advance the investment bill, calling it “definitely helpful” in easing tensions.
During his trip, Yeo met with U.S. Trade Representative officials and lawmakers to reaffirm Korea’s legislative commitment and address non-tariff issues, including digital regulations.
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