Ahead of April 2, when the Donald Trump administration in the United States announced reciprocal tariff implementation, there is a sense of tension in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. With the demand for increased imports of U.S. potatoes resurfacing as a trade issue, the ministry is contemplating whether to use the expansion of exports of Korean sweet potatoes to the U.S. as a negotiating card.
According to the government on the 1st, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has begun formulating strategies in preparation for trade pressures from the Trump administration, centered around a task force (TF) in the agricultural sector. The ministry maintains an official position that "there have been no direct requests from the U.S. side," but trade experts and officials believe that "there is a strong possibility that agricultural products will be targeted this time as well."
The most likely item for trade pressure is U.S. potatoes. Potatoes have been a sensitive item that the U.S. has requested to import more since 10 years ago. Currently, South Korea allows imports only from 22 states out of 50 states in the United States.
Among these, three states in the northwest, including Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, account for about 70% of the total import volume. The U.S. is demanding that an additional 11 inland states be included, allowing exports of potatoes from a total of 33 states to South Korea. This would enable about 90% of the total U.S. potato production to enter the South Korean market.
Additionally, the recent decision by the Rural Development Administration to declare genetically modified organism (GMO) potatoes as 'suitable' after seven years is interpreted as a signal that the environment for expanding potato imports has been created. If the import of GMO potatoes becomes a reality, it is expected to significantly impact the overall import structure.
In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may also consider Korean sweet potatoes as a card to respond to U.S. demands. The ministry recently included sweet potatoes in the '2025 export quarantine negotiation major items' and specified the United States as a target country for export negotiations.
On the surface, it appears to be a self-strategy for expanding sweet potato exports, but there are analyses suggesting it could be used as a countermeasure to achieve 'balance of benefits' in trade negotiations. A ministry official explained, "Sweet potatoes are a highly demanded item among Koreans in the U.S.," adding, "Sweet potatoes with strong sweetness are rare in the U.S., so Korean sweet potatoes can be competitive."
Additionally, beef, apples, and pears have also been items that the U.S. agricultural sector has consistently raised issues about. In particular, regarding U.S. beef, South Korea's current quarantine regulation, which allows imports only for cattle under 30 months old, may come under scrutiny again. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) submitted a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) last month, asserting that "the 30-month restriction should be abolished."
In response, domestic livestock farmers are strongly opposing. The Korean Hanwoo Association warned, "The import of beef from cattle over 30 months old, which is not guaranteed safe, could raise public health concerns," adding, "It could also negatively impact Hanwoo consumption." A ministry official stated, "There have been no related demands from the U.S. government," but added, "We plan to respond based on scientific evidence, prioritizing public safety and life."
Quarantine issues related to fruits are also being raised. U.S. apples and pears have not yet been allowed for import due to stringent domestic quarantine procedures. The U.S. has been pushing for the export of apples to South Korea since 1993, but has remained at the preliminary risk assessment stage up to now. As trade pressure increases, it cannot be ruled out that demands for easing these non-tariff barriers may also arise.
Experts believe there is a high likelihood that agricultural products will be a primary target of reciprocal tariff pressure. Lim Jeong-bin, a professor at Seoul National University’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, noted, "From the U.S. perspective, agricultural products are not only its representative export industry but also the most efficient means to maximize trade interests," adding, "Looking at past cases, it is natural for agricultural products to be at the forefront of trade fronts."