Jeong In-kyo, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, noted that measures to support the semiconductor sector are being prepared in response to the tariffs imposed by the United States.
On the 16th, Deputy Minister Jeong stated at the '2025 1st Trade Policy Advisory Committee' held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, that "the U.S. is laying the groundwork to impose tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals."
The advisory committee was convened by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to review the government's response strategy ahead of full-scale consultations with the United States.
Deputy Minister Jeong said, "Various domestic and international issues, led by the trade war initiated by the U.S., are increasing uncertainty both internally and externally," and added, "We are facing a situation where our economic growth rate forecast has been revised downward, making it difficult to predict even one step ahead."
He continued, "Our government perceives the current situation as an emergency," and noted, "We are responding swiftly and effectively through a task force for economic security, led by an acting authority and involving both public and private sectors."
Deputy Minister Jeong mentioned, "In negotiations with the U.S., we are actively explaining the main points of tariff reductions and enhancing Korea-U.S. cooperation through available channels," and reminded that Korean corporations are significantly contributing to the U.S. economy through investments, repeatedly requesting favorable treatment such as post-tariff reductions.
He said, "We will make good use of the 90-day grace period for reciprocal tariffs to refine our response strategies," adding, "We will actively communicate with the National Assembly and gather the capabilities of the entire government to minimize the negative impact on our corporations and prepare a negotiation plan."
He added, "We will make efforts to secure our national interests by navigating through the fierce waves of an unprecedented global trade war."