Anduk Geun, Minister of Industry, "Strengthening US Tariff Response... Minimizing Disadvantages to Our Industry"

Minister Ahn: "We Will Strengthen the Response System to Protect Industry Interests"
Public-Private Joint Emergency Measures Discussed Ahead of U.S. Tariff Implementation

On the 12th, Andeokgeun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated regarding the mutual tariffs imposed by the United States, which are scheduled for early next month, "We will further strengthen our response system to maximize the protection of our industrial sector's interests."

At the 'Public-Private Joint U.S. Tariff Response Strategy Meeting' held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul that afternoon, Minister Ahn said, "We will conduct intensive high-level and working-level consultations with the U.S. side, including the head of the trade negotiation office, and monitor the response trends of other major countries to minimize disadvantages to our industrial sector."

The meeting was convened to further strengthen the public-private joint emergency response system in preparation for the Trump administration's steel and aluminum tariff measures, the mutual tariffs announced for early April, and tariffs on items such as automobiles.

During the meeting, Minister Ahn shared the trends of past consultations with the U.S., including his visit to the U.S., and discussed the impact of U.S. tariff measures as well as short- and long-term response strategies.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to implement corporate support measures such as industry briefings, helpdesk operations, market development in third countries, and consulting on relocating production bases in response to future U.S. tariff measures, starting with steel tariffs. Additionally, strategies to strengthen competitiveness by industry, including the automobile sector, will soon be prepared.

Minister Ahn urged, "At the industry level as well, I hope active outreach activities targeting stakeholders in the U.S. will continue, and that the government and industry will share trends in real time and keep a close watch."