South Korea bats for ‘constructive alternative’ amid Trump tariff concerns. Trump administration working to impose ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on US imports to match what other countries slap on American goods. Ahn Duk-geun made remarks as he arrived in the United States for talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss U.S. plans to impose tariffs and bilateral cooperation in the shipbuilding industry, cutting-edge industries, energy and other strategic sectors.His trip marks the first visit to Washington by a ministerial Seoul official since President Donald Trump took office last month. It comes amid concerns over Trump’s plan to impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports and introduce reciprocal tariffs. He is also considering new tariffs on cars, chips and pharmaceuticals, Yonhap news agency reports. He said his visit this time is aimed at finding the \”best\” option to protect South Korean businesses and deepening the bilateral partnership on strategic industrial sectors. The minister also said that the agenda for his talks with Lutick includes a plan to establish a new industrial cooperation platform between the two countries. He noted that his negotiations with the U.N. this time will not be the last.
