Seoul reveals Trump requested tariff negotiations with South Korea, Japan, India

Acting President of South Korea Han Duck Soo - Photo: REUTERS

On April 14, South Korea's acting President Han Duck Soo said that Mr. Trump "clearly" instructed the US administration to immediately start tariff negotiations with the country, along with Japan and India.

South Korea promotes gas, shipbuilding cooperation with the US

Han made the remarks at a meeting with government officials and major Korean business leaders. He also said he hoped the two countries would hold a videoconference "in the next day or two" on cooperation on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the US state of Alaska.

Referring to his previous phone call with US President Donald Trump, Mr. Han said he explained in detail South Korea's stance on the tariff negotiations and Mr. Trump was satisfied.

Mr. Han also pledged to speak directly with Mr. Trump again if necessary to seek common ground in cooperation on LNG and shipbuilding.

Last week, South Korea's trade and industry minister said the possibility of cooperation with Washington on shipbuilding was "a very important card" in tariff negotiations.

South Korea is eyeing the Alaska LNG project, part of Mr Trump’s efforts to boost US gas exports, even though the sector is unlikely to be profitable for Seoul.

Regarding defense costs related to the US military stationed in South Korea, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun said Washington has not yet proposed a negotiation proposal. However, South Korea is preparing for various scenarios.

In his call with Mr Han, Mr Trump said he had brought up South Korea paying for “massive” US military protection, suggesting defence spending could be part of a broader deal that goes beyond tariffs and trade.

Japan is concerned

On April 14, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that Tokyo would not make many concessions and would not rush to reach a tariff agreement with Mr. Trump.

"I don't think we should make big concessions to quickly conclude negotiations. When negotiating with the US, we need to understand the reasons behind Mr. Trump's arguments, both the logic and the emotional factors behind his views," Reuters news agency quoted Mr. Ishiba as saying.

Japan’s special envoy, Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, will travel to the United States this week to discuss the tariffs. He is scheduled to meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on April 16.

"We have to convey the message that we have serious concerns about the consistency with the World Trade Organization agreement, and the Japan-US trade agreement," he said on April 14.

Mr. Akazawa called for a quick solution to the tariff issue. "As some tariffs have come into effect, Japanese companies' profits are being cut every day. The sooner (the problem) is resolved, the better," Mr. Akazawa said, AFP news agency quoted Mr. Akazawa as saying.

Tokyo has so far failed in its efforts to avoid US tariffs, including a 25% levy on the global auto industry that took effect in early April. Vehicle exports accounted for about 28% of Japan’s $142 billion in exports to the US last year.

Mr. Akazawa also said he was ready to discuss the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fields in Alaska if the US raised the issue.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/seoul-tiet-lo-ong-trump-yeu-cau-dam-phan-thue-voi-han-quoc-nhat-ban-an-do-20250414144431786.htm