'US Business Trip' Kim Dong-yeon: "Uncertainty Remains Despite 90-Day Extension of Reciprocal Tariffs... Measures Must Be Taken"

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, currently visiting the United States, urged the South Korean government once again to appoint an economic special envoy and provide export breakwater support, stating that although the US mutual tariffs have been postponed for 90 days, uncertainty has only increased.

On the 11th, Governor Kim wrote on his social media (SNS), "Morning of the second day in Detroit, USA," and said, "I came all the way here to the US, leaving behind important domestic schedules, because of the desperate cries of exporters I met last week."

He continued, "How can we ignore their cries that they have no choice but to sit still and face hundreds of billions of won in tariff bombs and go bankrupt?" He added, "Yesterday, right after arriving at the airport, without even changing clothes, I met with the executives and employees of our local auto parts company 'Gwangjin America'."

In particular, he added, "They expressed gratitude that I came all the way here despite no interest from the Korean government, but I felt more sorry."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon visited Kwangjin America in Michigan, USA, on the 9th (local time) and discussed the impact of mutual tariffs with company officials. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

He also said, "Upon arriving in the US, I heard the news of the 90-day postponement of mutual tariffs," and expressed concern, "Although the urgent fire has been put out, the confusion on the ground has increased, and a greater uncertainty casts a deep shadow."

Furthermore, he said, "The 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles are already in effect," and added, "The additional mutual tariffs have unclear standards and ambiguous targets, and since there is nothing certain, companies are unable to prepare countermeasures individually."

He then urged, "This is not the time to be complacent about the mutual tariff postponement," and emphasized, "We must get our act together quickly and respond by appointing an economic special envoy and establishing export breakwaters."

Meanwhile, on the second day of his schedule, Governor Kim plans to meet with domestic parts companies operating locally and also meet with Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, to discuss win-win cooperation.