On Social Media:
"A Significant Day for America"
U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that he will not extend the mutual tariff suspension measure, which is set to expire on August 1.
On July 30 (local time), President Trump posted on his self-created social networking service, Truth Social, stating, "The August 1 deadline is the August 1 deadline," and added, "It is firm and will not be extended." He further commented, "A significant day for America!"
This is interpreted as a message of pressure that the United States will not extend the tariff suspension for countries still in negotiations, including South Korea, while it has already reached trade agreements with major trading partners such as Japan and the European Union (EU). On July 28, President Trump announced that countries without a trade agreement would face a blanket tariff of 15?20%.
Amid this situation, the South Korean government has launched an all-out effort in the final stages to secure a trade agreement with the United States. The U.S. is maximizing pressure by demanding the "best and final offer." According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) the previous day, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick recently met with South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan and other negotiators in Scotland, where he reportedly delivered what amounted to a final ultimatum, urging them to "bring it all" for the final trade proposal to present to President Trump. He also emphasized that, since the U.S. has already concluded trade agreements with the EU, Japan, and the United Kingdom, South Korea must be able to persuade President Trump why a new agreement with South Korea is necessary.
Meanwhile, President Trump was asked by reporters the previous day whether the tariff negotiations with South Korea would be concluded the following day. At first, he seemed not to hear clearly and asked, "What do you mean will be concluded tomorrow?" When the reporter clarified "tariffs," he replied, "Tariffs will not be concluded tomorrow." However, it remains unclear whether this remark specifically referred to South Korea or was a general comment on tariff negotiations overall.
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