South Korea's Trade Minister: Trade Deal Possible Beyond July 8 Deadline

South Korea's Trade Minister Hints at Possibility of Trade Deal Beyond July 8 Deadline

South Korea's Trade Minister, Ahn Duk-geun, has signaled that a trade deal with the United States could extend beyond the July 8 deadline. This announcement came during a briefing on Friday, where Minister Ahn highlighted the ongoing discussions between the two nations, particularly focusing on critical sectors such as automobiles and steel. These sectors are seen as pivotal in the negotiations, and the trade minister stressed their importance in future talks with the US.

In addition, South Korea’s delegation is expected to visit the US next week to continue discussions on tariffs, as the two sides work towards finding common ground. Minister Ahn reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to engaging with the US in a structured manner to address the trade concerns at hand. To facilitate this, a follow-up ministerial-level meeting is planned for mid-June to ensure continued progress in the trade talks.

Despite the looming July deadline, Minister Ahn’s comments suggest a possibility for an extended negotiation period, with both nations remaining engaged in efforts to finalize an agreement that balances the interests of both parties.