South Korea and the United States will hold "2+2" trade talks involving their finance and trade ministers in Washington on Thursday, acting President Han Duck-soo said, in what will be the first round of high-level negotiations to ease US tariffs.
The meeting, scheduled for 8 a.m., or 9 p.m. in South Korea, will bring together Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun from the South Korean side and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer from the US side, Han said during a government meeting Monday.
Immediately following the talks, Ahn and Greer will hold separate discussions.
"Our government will direct all of our strength to finding a win-win solution for the two countries by holding calm and serious discussions with the US under the principle of putting top priority on our national interest," Han said, citing in particular the three key areas of trade balance, shipbuilding and liquefied natural gas, mentioned during his recent phone call with US President Donald Trump.
"The consultation process with the US will not be easy," he continued, acknowledging both expectations and concerns ahead of the negotiations. "However, the Republic of Korea has achieved the growth and prosperity of today by coming together and turning crisis into opportunity and challenge into a stepping stone for a leap."
Han said the government will prepare measures to minimize the difficulties of businesses while negotiations are under way and closely monitor the negotiations of other key US trading partners, such as the European Union and Japan.
Han also stressed the importance of cooperation from all parties, including the government and businesses, the public and the press, and political circles, in ensuring the success of the negotiations.
Later Monday, Ahn will visit the National Assembly to brief lawmakers on the schedule and details of the negotiations, he said.
"I ask for bipartisan cooperation from the perspective of the national interest," Han said. (Yonhap)
