Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in an interview with the Economist published on the 28th that the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations could be resolved "without conflict."
According to the Economist, Acting Prime Minister Han noted, "We should be able to find a win-win solution through collaborative negotiations with the United States." This interview took place in Seoul on the 22nd.
Han noted the 25% tariff imposed by the United States on Korean cars, which was later suspended for 90 days, saying it was a "shock therapy." He also stated that the tariffs on automobiles and steel were "very painful."
Regarding non-tariff barriers such as the overseas export of high-precision mapping data, automobile safety standards, agricultural product hygiene standards, pharmaceutical pricing systems, and restrictions on technology corporations, he stated, "There are areas that can be improved." In this context, Google has requested mapping data from Korea, and the Trump administration previously classified local regulations on domestic big tech corporations as non-tariff barriers.
The Economist listed additional purchases of U.S. products and increased U.S. investments as part of Korea's response strategy to the tariff negotiations. Acting Prime Minister Han mentioned, "There is a project to build a 1,300-kilometer gas pipeline and liquefaction plant in Alaska for export to Asia," adding that "Korean and Japanese corporations can participate."
Regarding U.S. demands for cooperation in the shipbuilding institutional sector, he stated, "The U.S. shipbuilding industry's legal system needs to change." The Economist identified "excessive protection" as one of the reasons for inefficiency in U.S. shipbuilding.
The Economist reported that while Han is optimistic about negotiations with the U.S., he does not feel overly confident. President Trump has mentioned a "one-stop negotiation" that addresses both economic and security issues, to which Han replied, "The presence of U.S. troops is absolutely important to us."
Regarding the possibility of Han's candidacy in the presidential election, the Economist reported, "Some conservatives hope for Han's candidacy, but he has been reticent about this," adding that "avoiding a disaster with the U.S. is the top priority for now."