Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said Wednesday that South Korea has no intention to hastily wrap up trade consultations with the United States as top finance and trade officials of the two nations are set to hold high-level trade talks this week.
Cho made the remark in a parliamentary session ahead of the “2+2” trade talks set for Thursday (U.S. time) in Washington as Seoul seeks to use this week’s negotiations to minimize the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz.
“Since there was a (U.S) request, the purpose is largely to listen to what (the U.S.) has to say and to suggest preliminary feedback,” Cho said, when asked about whether the trade talks are proceeding “too quickly” under the acting president’s leadership.
Although closing a deal could be an option in the event trade talks proceed in a direction beneficial to both sides, Cho stressed he has no intention to rush to a conclusion.
The minister said he will do his best to factor in the national interest, vowing to make the most out of some 40 days remaining till South Korea’s presidential election and 70 days until the end of a grace period for U.S. tariffs.
When asked about the possibility of defense costs being discussed in the upcoming talks, Cho said he believes it is a matter that should be dealt with through a “separate track.”
Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for the “2+2” talks on Thursday (U.S. time).
