Lee Jae-myung Urges Formation of Special Committee on Trade Measures
Warns U.S. Steel Tariffs Could Expand to Automobiles and Semiconductors
Calls for Joint Response System to Protect National Interests
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the ruling party to respond positively, saying, "I have suggested several times to form a Special Committee on Trade Measures, but there has been no response from the People Power Party."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. 2025.2.7 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
At the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th, Lee stated regarding the U.S. government's decision to impose a 25% tariff on imported steel products, "Our country is subject to a quota system, so it may not apply now, but there is a very high possibility that it will be the same in the future."
Lee added, "For now, it is only steel, but there is a high possibility that it will expand to automobiles and semiconductors," and said, "President Trump is a president who turns both diplomacy and trade into weapons for the sake of U.S. national interests," emphasizing, "We must protect our national interests during these difficult times."
He said, "It is difficult to confront the U.S. position head-on, but we need to prepare a rational and sophisticated strategy that can secure our interests," and added, "A joint response system that can handle trade and diplomacy together is necessary."
He continued, "We need to establish a special committee on trade in the National Assembly to discuss ways to alleviate the difficulties faced by our companies engaged in export battles, even if only slightly," emphasizing, "Even if we fight when we have to, let's handle the work properly."
Regarding the negotiation group leader's speech by Kwon Seong-dong of the People Power Party made the previous day, Lee criticized, "I did not feel any sense of responsibility as the ruling party in charge of state affairs or as the party that produced the president," and said, "It seemed they were not interested in state affairs but only thinking about how to pick fights with the opposition."
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