Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

South Korea 'will not fight back' against Trump tariffs: Acting PM

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Financial Times
  • 20 Apr 2025 23:42
4 Min Read

Han Duck-soo believes the United States had a massive role in making South Korea what it is today.

Listen
  • x
  • South Korea will not ‘fight’ Donald Trump’s tariffs: Acting PMSouth Korean acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during a briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea on March 24, 2025. (AP)

South Korea "will not fight back" against US tariffs, its acting president has announced, citing the country's historical debt to Washington ahead of trade discussions with President Donald Trump's administration, which are expected to begin next week.

Following Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office this month by the country's constitutional court, Han Duck-soo, a technocrat serving as acting president, highlighted that "the role of the US was huge in making Korea what it is now."

In an interview with the Financial Times, Han stated that the US provided aid, technology transfer, investments, and security assurances during the Korean War, making South Korea a welcoming investment climate for foreigners.

According to the acting PM, Seoul's "industrial prowess" and financial development are due to assistance from the US.

He cited that due to this debt, the country will negotiate with Trump to find "solutions which are more win-win for both, rather than taking their actions as the objective against which we should fight back."

South Korean officials were shocked when Trump slapped a 25% reciprocal tax on the nation this month, despite a free trade deal requiring South Korea not to levy duties on American goods.

Hyundai and Kia, Korean automobile heavyweights, were also stung by a separate 25% US automotive charge, while the country's chipmakers and pharmaceutical businesses face prospective levies under a national security investigation unveiled by Washington this week.

Related News

Honduras secures US tariff exemption amid new trade restrictions

India scraps F-35 deal with US as Trump slaps tariffs

South Korea's largest businesses are investing tens of billions of dollars in innovative manufacturing sites for semiconductors, electric car batteries, and solar panels.

However, Seoul's trade surplus with the US has increased dramatically, hitting a record $55 billion in 2024, as the US surpassed China as its top export destination.

Han, who claimed to have had a "good" 28-minute phone discussion with Trump earlier this month, said South Korea was open to negotiating cutting its trade surplus, including the purchase of US liquefied natural gas and commercial airliners. He went on to say that increasing cooperation in naval shipbuilding "may help the US in strengthening their alliances."

Liberation of trade to help Korean people: Han

He also stated that Seoul was open to examining South Korea's nontariff trade obstacles. Long-standing US objections include Seoul's vehicle emissions laws, opaque pharmaceutical pricing, reluctance to import certain American beef, and network fees levied on US video providers like as Netflix.

Han acknowledged that some industries "may suffer some problems" as a result of the discussions, but stated that a larger liberalization of trade between the two nations would "increase the welfare of the Korean people."

The Trump administration also launched trade discussions with Japan this week, prioritizing close allies in a bid to clinch some accords and begin to reverse the president's sweeping trade war, which has roiled global markets.

Trump, who threatened to withdraw US troops from the Korean peninsula during his first term, stated this month that negotiations with Seoul would explicitly link trade and security issues, including "payment for the big time military protection we provide to South Korea" — a potential major source of concern for Seoul, which relies on US protection from the DPRK's nuclear threats.

Han emphasized that there was no "clear framework" for addressing security, but he expressed openness to reconsider a cost-sharing agreement reached with the Biden administration last year about the 28,500 US soldiers stationed in South Korea, "depending on the issues."

  • US tariffs
  • US
  • Han Duck-soo
  • South Korea
  • Donald Trump
  • United States

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS