The South Korean presidential office has signaled it will engage in close consultations with the United States to maintain the current 15 percent tariff rate on South Korean exports.
The diplomatic push comes as Washington prepares to enforce a new round of duties that could target dozens of additional nations.
The White House is moving forward with the tariff expansion despite recent court rulings that have cast doubt on the legal basis for the existing duties. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other administration officials are expected to continue collecting current duties while rolling out the new measures.
For South Korean exporters, the stakes are high.
The current 15 percent rate represents a significant cost burden, but an increase under the new framework could further erode competitiveness in key markets.
Seoul’s strategy appears focused on preventing any escalation beyond the current level.