Ahead of the Expiration of Mutual Tariff Grace Period on the 8th, Visit to Washington, D.C.
Possible Meeting with Secretary of State Rubio to Coordinate Summit Schedule
National Security Office: "In-depth Discussions on Korea-U.S. Issues Planned"
National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak will visit Washington, D.C. from July 6 to 8. This is Advisor Wi's first visit to the United States since President Lee Jaemyung took office. With the expiration of the mutual tariff grace period proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump approaching, there is heightened attention on which U.S. officials Wi will meet during his visit.
On July 5, the National Security Office announced, "Advisor Wi plans to use this visit to the U.S. as an opportunity to hold in-depth discussions with U.S. officials on a wide range of Korea-U.S. issues."
The immediate focus is on the U.S. mutual tariff issue. President Trump has notified that July 8 is the expiration date for the grace period. On July 4, Yeo Hankoo, head of trade negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, traveled to the United States for last-minute negotiations, but no progress has been reported so far.
Alongside the tariff negotiations, a Korea-U.S. summit remains a pressing task. President Lee had planned to hold a summit with President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada from June 16 to 18. However, the meeting was canceled when President Trump returned to the U.S. early due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Afterward, President Lee deliberated until the last minute on whether to attend the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24 and 25. Ultimately, he decided not to attend, taking into account instability in the Middle East and pressing domestic issues. One reason for his decision was that it would be difficult to focus on the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations even if he attended the NATO Summit. As a result, Advisor Wi attended the NATO Summit in President Lee's place and had a brief conversation with President Trump. Upon returning to Korea, Advisor Wi stated in a self-initiated briefing, "I confirmed that President Trump has a strong interest in cooperation in the shipbuilding sector."
Advisor Wi is also expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Secretary Rubio had initially planned to visit Korea earlier this month, but postponed the trip due to internal issues such as the Middle East situation. During this visit to the U.S., Advisor Wi is likely to have an opportunity to coordinate the schedule for a summit meeting with Secretary Rubio. The National Security Office added, "A briefing on the specific details will be provided afterward."
Meanwhile, President Trump has signed letters containing mutual tariff rates for 12 countries, announcing that these letters will be sent on July 7 (local time). President Trump made this statement to reporters aboard Air Force One on July 4, U.S. Independence Day. However, President Trump did not specify which countries the letters were addressed to or the specific tariff rates involved.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
