Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is to hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week over trade issues that include the United States' new import tariffs, the finance ministry said Wednesday.
The meeting was proposed by Bessent in line with Choi's visit to the US for the upcoming Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors' meeting, the ministry said.
"The details regarding the schedule and participants are currently under review," ministry spokesperson Kang Young-kyu said.
The planned Choi-Bessent meeting comes after Washington signaled its intent to open trade negotiations with South Korea.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Bessent emphasized the importance of securing a "first mover advantage," as nations seek to mitigate the potential fallout from President Donald Trump's tariff policies.
Earlier this month, Trump imposed steep "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea, Japan and several other countries, but later announced a 90-day suspension of the new measures to allow for negotiations. (Yonhap)
