South Korea's industry minister seeks exemption from Trump's tariffs

FILE PHOTO: South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun speaks during a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raiimondo and Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito as part of an inaugural Trilateral Commerce and Industry Ministerial Meeting at the Commerce Department in Washington, U.S., June 26, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's industry minister requested a tariff exemption in talks with the U.S. administration, Seoul's industry ministry said on Saturday, as Washington moves forward with plans to impose new tariffs.

Ahn Duk-geun met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington this week, seeking tariff exemptions from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and discussing ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the ministry said in a statement.