Referring to Minister Kim Jungkwan and Chief Negotiator Yeo Hankoo
Trip to Scotland in Line with Lutnick's Schedule
On July 28 (local time), U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that during his accompaniment of President Donald Trump on his visit to Scotland, Korean officials came to meet him.
In an interview with Fox News on the same day, Secretary Lutnick said, "The Koreans boarded a plane to Scotland after dinner to meet me and (Jamison) Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative." This remark was made in response to the host's question, "Are negotiations with Korea ongoing? Are they envious of Japan?"
Secretary Lutnick added, "What I mean is, just consider how genuinely they want to conclude the negotiations." The "Koreans" he referred to appear to be Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jungkwan and Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Hankoo.
Minister Kim and Chief Negotiator Yeo held a series of negotiations with Secretary Lutnick and others in Washington, D.C. and New York on July 24 and 25. After confirming that Secretary Lutnick would accompany President Trump on his visit to Scotland, Minister Kim and Chief Negotiator Yeo reportedly rushed to Scotland.
Although Secretary Lutnick did not specify the exact timing of their visit, it is estimated to have been on either July 26 or 27.
Secretary Lutnick was present at the meeting between President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held in Turnberry, Scotland the previous day, but did not attend the summit between President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on this day.
Minister Kim and Chief Negotiator Yeo are expected to continue last-minute negotiations with Secretary Lutnick until before August 1, the deadline for the U.S. reciprocal tariff suspension.
Secretary Lutnick emphasized that President Trump holds the key to the tariff negotiations. He said, "President Trump is in the driver's seat. He holds all the cards, and as he has said, he will determine the tariff rates and how much countries open their markets. And this will take place this week."
When asked whether it is possible for all deals to be concluded before August 1, he replied, "Yes. Everything is ready. My role is to set the table for the President, and he will decide what to do. There are countries that have completely opened their markets to us, and some have offered a little less. The President will say, 'This is the way I want it,' and make the decision."
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