Reciprocal tariffs removal, auto barriers top agenda at Korea-US talks: Ahn

South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun (center) departs for Washington from Incheon International Airport on Wednesday, for trade consultations with the Donald Trump administration. (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald)

South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun said eliminating the US' “reciprocal” tariffs against Korea and resolving auto-related issues were the top priorities of upcoming high-level talks in Washington.

Ahn is set join Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok for the first “2+2” trade consultation with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at 8 a.m. Thursday in Washington (9 p.m. Thursday, Korea time).

“Basically, our objective is to remove the reciprocal tariffs imposed (on Korea),” Ahn told reporters upon arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, adding he plans to negotiate in a direction in which tariffs remain deferred.

“The 25 percent tariffs on automobiles are causing big problems for US-Korea trade, so we seek to resolve this issue as quickly as possible through the talks,” he said.

The first “2+2” dialogue comes as a response to a series of tariff policies from US President Donald Trump, which have put pressure on export-dependent South Korea.

On April 2, Trump announced “reciprocal” tariffs on most trading countries, including a 25 percent levy on South Korea, originally set to take effect April 9. However, Trump paused the tariffs for three months, instead imposing a “baseline” tariff of 10 percent for the period, while negotiations are underway.

These measures are in addition to previously announced sector-specific tariffs, including 25 percent on steel, aluminum and automobiles — all key export industries for South Korea.

Addressing speculation that cost-sharing for the stationing of American troops in Korea could be part of the discussion, Ahn ruled it out, saying the matter is not part of the 2+2 agenda. He also added that no meeting with President Trump had been scheduled at the moment.

Ahead of their talks, Ahn and Choi, who had arrived in Washington Tuesday, held a pre-consultation session with the Korean negotiation team in Washington on Wednesday, according to the Finance Ministry.