South Korea eyes big trade deal after long awaited Trump call

A Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) container ship under construction at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. US President Donald Trump said chances for a trade deal with South Korea were "looking good” after the call that covered topics including shipbuilding cooperation. - Bloomberg

SEOUL: South Korea is seeking to cut a "big” trade deal with the US after a last-minute phone call between Donald Trump and Acting President Han Duck-soo raised the prospects of bringing some relief to the export-reliant nation hit hard by tariffs blitz.

Trump and Han agreed to make their top commerce officials handle detailed negotiations, South Korea’s Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun told lawmakers Wednesday (April 9) hours after the leaders spoke.