April 9th 2025.
The Acting President of South Korea, Han Duck-soo, recently appeared in an interview with CNN where he addressed the issue of the United States' tariff measures and their impact on South Korea's economy. As the Trump administration's 25 percent tariff on South Korean goods took effect, there were concerns that the country's export-driven economy would suffer greatly.
When asked if South Korea would form a coalition with China or Japan to combat the US tariffs, Han responded by saying, "I don't think that kind of fighting back will improve the situation dramatically." He made it clear that South Korea would not take that route and instead seek to resolve the issue through negotiations with the US.
This interview was released shortly after Han's phone conversation with US President Trump, which marked the first leader-to-leader communication between the two since Trump's inauguration. Han has taken on the role of acting President after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office last week due to his brief implementation of martial law in December.
As Trump continues to impose tariffs on various countries, some experts have suggested the possibility of affected nations, including South Korea, joining forces with China to combat these measures. However, Han emphasized that South Korea will handle the situation on its own and work towards a resolution with the US.
Trump's tariff plans have been a cause of concern for many Asian economies, as he has announced duties on several products, including steel, aluminum, and foreign vehicles. His administration is also considering tariffs on semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and other items.
Despite concerns about the impact of tariffs on inflation and economic growth, Trump has been using them as a means to increase government revenue, reduce trade deficits, and boost domestic manufacturing. US Senator Brian Schatz even went as far as to say that the recent trilateral meeting between the Trade Ministers of South Korea, Japan, and China was a "shocking image" that suggests the world is "uniting against" America.
Regarding the newly announced tariffs, Han stated that they are "a pity" and that South Korea will negotiate with the US in a calm and rational manner based on their strong alliance. He also expressed optimism that a resolution can be reached, but acknowledged that it may take time.
In response to the tariff hike, South Korean officials have been working diligently to address the situation. Han reaffirmed their commitment to working with the US in a Facebook post, saying, "The best way to solve a problem is to calmly communicate with the other party and persistently seek a path guaranteeing the interests of both sides."
In these difficult times, Han believes that the most sensible solution is to strengthen the South Korea-US alliance, both as a security and economic partnership. He remains hopeful that by calmly communicating and persistently seeking a solution, the interests of both countries can be protected.
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