Yeo Han-koo, head of trade negotiations, and Katherine Ty, head of the US Trade Representative, visit the SK Siltron CSS factory in Urban, Michigan, and inspect it on the 16th. News 1
US Trade Representative Catherine Ty said South Korea was one of the first countries to benefit from tariffs.
He drew the line with respect to negotiations to improve tariffs on Article 232 of steel.
On the 16th, during a visit to SK Siltrons CSS factory located in Urban, Michigan, USA to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Korea-US free trade agreement, on the 16th, CEO Tai said he wanted to remind us that Korea is subject to a tariff-free export quota for steel.
He also said that the import quota system applied to Korean steel does not apply to most other trading partners.
While he will continue to talk about South Koreas concerns, he reiterated that Korea is actually in a better place than many other countries and is already benefiting.
The 232 trillion steel measure was an agreement between South Korea and the United States in 2018 to allow tariff-free exports of steel up to the limit of 2.63 million tons.
As the European Union and Japan, which have been subject to high tariffs, recently concluded a steel deal with the United States on conditions more favorable than Korea, the need for improvement in steel measures between Korea and the United States has also been raised.
The Korean government has been demanding an increase in quotas in relation to the improvement of steel 232 trillion, but the US is said to have taken a negative stance.
Thailands comments are interpreted as an extension of the Joe Biden administrations negative stance.
Tai said that he knew that South Korea was in a period of regime change, suggesting the possibility of negotiations. “As there are dialogue channels like the FTA,” he said, “I am confident that we will be able to have the necessary conversations to do our best as an ally.”
When asked if there are any expectations for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which will be launched in May, in relation to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which is being promoted by the Biden administration, Thai representative said, ” I dont know yet because I think Ill have to wait until the government comes in.”
Prior to this, Representative Tai introduced the achievements of the 10-year KORUS FTA in his speech in a speech and said, “With the success of this agreement, we have struggled with disappointments and challenges in the implementation process.”
He noted that South Koreas exports of US-made automobiles and other goods from Michigan have increased since the KORUS FTA, he said.
Michigan, where SK Siltron CSS is located, is a typical competitive state ahead of the midterm elections in November.
Michigan currently has two seats in the Senate and two governors, but the House of Representatives is divided by Democrats and Republicans in half of the 14 seats, so the Biden administration and Democrats are a must-win for a majority in the House and Senate in the midterm elections.
