South Korea’s presidential office announced this week that tariff negotiations with the U.S. have been stalled for some time, as Seoul and Washington work through sticking points in a deal first agreed in July.
President Lee Jae-myung has made it clear he won’t sacrifice long-term gains for a speedy agreement. "We cannot do everything the U.S. wants," a presidential official said, stressing that the president is committed to protecting Korean companies from rushed concessions that could lead to losses.
Key details remain unresolved—chief among them, the structure and disbursement of a $350 billion investment fund designed to bolster U.S. and Korean businesses alike. Trade envoy Yeo Han-koo is on the ground in Washington, D.C., leading follow-up talks, but as he told reporters, "the devil is in the details."
Despite the slow progress, both sides signal determination to close gaps in the coming weeks. For young entrepreneurs and global business watchers, the outcome could reshape investment flows in key tech and manufacturing sectors.
As talks continue, all eyes are on the negotiating teams in Seoul and Washington to see if they can bridge differences without jeopardizing national interests.
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South Korea presidential office says tariff talks with U.S. stalled
cgtn.com
