People Power Party Criticizes Lee Administration's "Ineffective Response" to Trump Tariff Letter

On July 11, the People Power Party criticized the Lee Jaemyung administration's trade policy toward the United States as "ineffective" in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's public letter announcing a 25% reciprocal tariff on Korean goods starting August 1.

Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, commented on President Trump's tariff letter during the "Emergency Industry-National Assembly Forum for National Interest Amid the Tariff War" held at the National Assembly that day. He stated, "President Lee Jaemyung failed to meet President Trump at the G7 summit and did not even attend the NATO summit, which had been highly anticipated." He further criticized, "The response of the Lee administration is not only utterly ineffective but also irresponsible."

Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Floor Strategy Meeting held at the National Assembly on July 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

President Trump sent a "tariff letter" on July 7, specifying a 25% reciprocal tariff on South Korea, and notified that it would be imposed starting August 1. Originally, the 25% reciprocal tariff was scheduled to take effect on July 9, but only the implementation date was postponed while the tariff rate remained unchanged. Regarding this, Chairman Song expressed concern, saying, "President Trump's tariff policy is already having a serious impact on the Korean economy and industry. Domestic export companies that have been active in the global market are facing a dual hardship of not only business crises but also plummeting stock prices."

Representative Na Kyungwon, an opposition member of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee who organized the forum, targeted the government and ruling party, stating, "They are attacking with personnel appointments, attacking with legislation, and attacking with special prosecutors." She added, "It is regrettable that the opposition's arguments are not being properly communicated amid this." She emphasized, "Measures such as the U.S. reciprocal tariffs are a direct blow to Korea's key industries, including automobiles and steel. The opposition must voice its position on the Korea-U.S. alliance and security issues in order to present proper alternatives and resolve the tariff policy in the right direction."