▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks to reporters ahead of his departure for the United States, at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Feb. 3, 2026. (Yonhap)

FM-US tariffs

FM Cho says to explain in detail S. Korea's parliamentary process to U.S.

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday he plans to clearly explain to the United States parliamentary procedures in South Korea, after Trump warned of a tariff hike citing a delay in Seoul's legislative process to implement a bilateral trade deal.

Cho made the remarks ahead of departing for Washington, where he is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as Seoul seeks to allay doubts among the Trump administration on Seoul's pledge to carry out US$350 billion of investment in the U.S.

Trump's threat to raise the reciprocal tariff on South Korean goods to 25 percent from 15 percent has stoked concerns that the trade deal may be falling apart. Cho said earlier Trump's message does not mean the deal's collapse.

"I will explain in detail to the U.S. side and seek their understanding that the agreements reached between the two governments are in the process of being legislated in accordance with our National Assembly procedures," Cho told reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.

"I plan to deliver the same message to the secretary, other U.S. government officials and especially U.S. Congress," he said.

Asked if the U.S. may use the delay in the trade deal as leverage to push back the negotiations on expanding Seoul's uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities, Cho played down such a possibility.

"I will make sure we reach a good conclusion with Secretary Rubio to move in the direction of making efforts toward a swift implementation of the joint fact sheet," Cho added, referring to the summit document outlining the trade, security and other agreements.

Cho is flying to Washington to attend a U.S.-led ministerial meeting of like-minded countries on critical minerals supply chains, set for Wednesday (local time).

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