Trade minister to hold further talks with US officials after Trump threatens higher tariffs

By Lee Hugh Posted : January 30, 2026, 11:29 Updated : January 30, 2026, 11:30
Yonhap
Minister of Trade and Industry Kim Jung-kwan speaks at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on Jan. 28, 2026. Yonhap
SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - South Korea will continue talks with U.S. trade officials this week to resolve any misunderstanding after U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt threat to raise tariffs on its closest ally earlier this week.

Just a day after his arrival in Washington, D.C., Minister of Trade and Industry Kim Jung-kwan met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday to figure out what is behind Trump's tariff threat.

Trump on Monday warned he would raise reciprocal tariffs on Seoul from 15 percent back to 25 percent, citing delays in implementing a bilateral agreement reached in late October.

During his meeting with Lutnick, Kim reportedly stressed Seoul's commitment to fulfilling the country's investment pledge as part of the broader deal first struck in late July and finalized months later, although the meeting apparently did not produce any concrete results.

Shortly after the meeting, Kim told reporters that the two sides discussed many issues and agreed to meet again.

Kim is also scheduled to meet with other senior U.S. officials including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, before returning home.

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