The government has decided to reorganize its response system for addressing difficulties faced by agricultural and food export companies, including strengthening consultation and resolution functions for export companies regarding issues such as U.S. reciprocal tariffs, and holding customized seminars.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on April 24 that it would revamp its support system for agricultural and food export companies in this way.
A Ministry official stated, "In light of the rapidly changing trade environment, including recent U.S. reciprocal tariffs, we plan to enhance convenience for export companies and strengthen expertise and collaboration with related agencies to improve companies' perceived effectiveness in resolving difficulties." The official further explained, "This reorganization aims to resolve on-site challenges faced by agricultural and food export companies more quickly and systematically."
First, the accessibility and user convenience of the export information desk operated by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) will be improved. In addition to the existing telephone-based consultations, a "1:1 Online Consultation Board" has been established on the aT website, allowing companies to request consultations 24 hours a day. Companies can also receive phone consultations if desired, along with written responses. Issues that are commonly raised by export companies will be posted in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format, and the content will be continuously updated with input from experts in the relevant fields.
For companies requiring more detailed and in-depth consultations, they can leave inquiries on the consultation board and receive free, direct, and detailed answers from experts in areas such as tariffs, customs clearance, and trade regulations. In addition to expert responses, companies will also be able to receive prompt and comprehensive support through connections with relevant ministries and agencies, including the Korea Customs Service (Export-Import Business Support Center), the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Difficulty Reporting Center), and KOTRA (Tariff Response 119).
The Ministry will review the difficulties faced by export companies by checking the consultation records of the export information desk every week, and will resolve issues requiring mid- to long-term review through inter-ministerial discussions.
In addition, on April 25, the Ministry will hold the "2025 U.S. Reciprocal Tariff Response Practical Strategies Seminar" for export companies, including over 200 companies that have registered in advance, to help them directly address questions related to U.S. reciprocal tariffs. Kim Seokoh, Chairman of the International Customs and Trade Consulting Center (ICTC), who has extensive experience in customs operations and consulting for agricultural and food companies, will give a lecture covering topics of common interest to export companies, including: the relationship between agricultural and food reciprocal tariffs and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA); criteria for country-of-origin and methods for proving origin for the application of reciprocal tariffs by country; and tax-saving strategies in the event of reciprocal tariffs taking effect, using case studies of major items.
Joo Wonchul, Director General for Food Industry Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "As uncertainties in the export environment, including U.S. reciprocal tariffs, are increasing, the government will strengthen consultation functions to help resolve difficulties faced by our agricultural and food export companies, and will continue to provide comprehensive support to ensure practical solutions for these companies."
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