S. Korean officials return empty-handed as US cancels 2+2 trade talks

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol (left) leaves Incheon International Airport after canceling his departure following a U.S. notice to call off the South Korea-U.S. “2+2 talks” on July 24, 2025. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, who had departed for Washington on July 20 but failed to meet with U.S. National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, returned to Seoul that afternoon. /Jang Gyoung-sik

With just a week left before the Aug. 1 deadline for U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs, South Korean officials have yet to hold face-to-face talks with their American counterparts. While Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia have recently reached agreements with Washington, negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. remain stalled as Seoul continues to be pushed down the priority list.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol was scheduled to fly to Washington, D.C. on July 24 for talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, but was forced to turn back at Incheon Airport. The U.S. abruptly canceled the South Korea-U.S. “2+2” finance and trade meeting set for July 25, citing an urgent schedule for Bessent. The cancellation was notified by email just over an hour before Koo’s flight.

Graphics by Baek Hyeong-seon

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, who traveled to the U.S. on July 20, returned home without meeting his counterpart, U.S. National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Wi went to the White House on July 21 for the scheduled meeting, but was told Rubio could not attend due to an extended meeting with Trump. The following day, U.S. officials said an in-person meeting would not be possible, so Wi spoke with Rubio by phone, despite both being in Washington. He met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, but was unable to meet his direct counterpart.

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan arrived in Washington on July 23 and met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on July 24. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy also announced that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, who arrived a day earlier, will hold talks with USTR Representative Jamison Greer. However, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent set to attend U.S.-China negotiations in Sweden from July 28 to 29, it remains uncertain whether the canceled 2+2 meeting can be rescheduled.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun tried to arrange a phone call with Rubio immediately after taking office on July 21 but was unsuccessful. Instead, he spoke with Japan’s foreign minister first. A South Korea-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting is expected next week, but the schedule is still being finalized.

The repeated cancellations of high-level talks suggest the Trump administration is using meetings as a negotiation tactic. While South Korea seeks to resolve differences through summits or ministerial talks, the U.S. demands that Seoul first offer terms or figures that would satisfy Trump before agreeing to meet.

The South Korean government had planned for President Lee Jae-myung to visit Washington after some progress in trade and security talks to make a “package deal” with Trump. During a July 7 meeting with Rubio, Wi proposed holding a summit soon to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. The U.S. side reportedly agreed but later said a summit could only happen after Korea opens its agricultural markets and eases digital trade barriers. The last-minute cancellation of the 2+2 meeting and the refusal to meet Wi during his four-day stay in Washington are seen as indirect pressure from the U.S. to bring stronger proposals like market-opening commitments or investment plans to the table.

While Wi waited in Washington on July 21 and 22, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. finalized a trade agreement with the U.S. following talks with Trump and meetings with the secretaries of state and defense. However, South Korea is running out of time, as Trump is scheduled to visit Scotland from July 25 to 29, leaving little room for last-minute negotiations.