Minister Kim Jungkwan Heads Straight to Europe from US for Final Push in Tariff Negotiations

Attempt to Secure Additional Negotiation Channels
as President Trump Stays in Scotland

Minister Jungkwan Kim of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is departing from Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the 23rd to attend the high-level U.S. tariff talks. 2025.7.23. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

In the final phase of the Korea-US tariff negotiations, it has been reported that Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jungkwan and the negotiation team have left the United States for Europe. With only four days remaining until the negotiation deadline of August 1, this move is interpreted as an effort to secure additional opportunities for contact in line with the US negotiation team's schedule.

According to multiple sources familiar with the negotiation developments on the 28th, Minister Kim held consecutive meetings with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in Washington, DC and New York on July 24 and 25 (local time), before boarding a flight to Europe. On the 24th, Minister Kim held official negotiations at the Department of Commerce building, and the following day continued closed-door talks at Secretary Lutnick's residence in New York. As it became known that Minister Kim did not return to Washington, DC after the New York negotiations, the possibility of a trip to Europe quickly gained attention.

However, the situation changed when President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland coincided with the negotiations, which had been gaining momentum. Key negotiation partners, including Secretary Lutnick, USTR Representative Jamison Greer, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Besant, all moved to Europe to accompany President Trump and to participate in the US-China trade negotiations. As a result, with only the Korean negotiation team remaining in the United States, it is understood that the Korean side also decided to travel directly to Europe to maintain the momentum of the negotiations.

There is also speculation that the Korean negotiation team's trip to Europe was not a spontaneous action, but rather likely involved prior coordination of schedules with Secretary Lutnick and others during the New York negotiations. In particular, since Secretary Lutnick is not attending the high-level US-China trade negotiations in Sweden on July 28-29, it appears highly likely that Minister Kim will meet Secretary Lutnick again in Scotland. Minister Kim is expected to hold final talks with Secretary Lutnick on site, carrying Korea's "revised proposal" and maintaining close consultation with Seoul.

Given that President Donald Trump, who holds the final decision-making authority on the tariff negotiations, is staying in Scotland, there is also analysis that if a ministerial-level agreement is reached in Europe, President Trump may personally make the final decision.