US Treasury to Hold Trade Talks with Korea Next Week

WSJ: "South Korea, United Kingdom, Australia, India, and Japan Given Top Priority"

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Baesant said on the 14th (local time) that "trade negotiations with South Korea are scheduled for next week."

In an interview with Bloomberg TV on the same day, Secretary Baesant said, "Last week was Vietnam, Wednesday (the 16th) is Japan, and next week is South Korea," adding, "(The negotiations) will proceed quickly."

Reuters Yonhap News

On the same day, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing sources, that the Trump administration is prioritizing South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and Japan in new trade negotiations.

Sources said Secretary Baesant told close aides that these allied countries are his top priority and that he is in contact with officials from each country.

WSJ reported that since becoming President Donald Trump's key trade advisor and chief negotiator, Secretary Baesant has been moving quickly to communicate with countries subject to reciprocal tariffs.

Earlier, on the 9th, Secretary Baesant announced at the American Bankers Association (ABA) event that he would lead trade negotiations. On the same day, immediately after President Trump announced the suspension of reciprocal tariffs, Baesant explained the details to reporters at the White House, taking a leading role in trade issues.

Meanwhile, Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), said in a CNBC interview on the same day that more than 10 countries have proposed surprising trade negotiations with the U.S. following President Trump's imposition of reciprocal tariffs.