▲ National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (R) and Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, attend a meeting with President Lee Jae Myung at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 27, 2026. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) Cheong Wa Dae-US tariffs

(2nd LD) S. Korea to convey to U.S. its commitment to implementing bilateral trade deal: presidential office

(ATTN: ADDS responses in last 4 paras)

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will convey its commitment to the United States to implementing its trade deal with Washington and respond calmly to U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to raise tariffs on the Asian ally, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, co-chaired an interagency meeting to discuss response measures after Trump made a surprise announcement to raise "reciprocal" tariffs and auto duties on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing Seoul's lack of progress in the legislative process to implement the deal finalized in October.

"The government will convey its commitment to implementing the deal to the U.S. side," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.

Noting that the tariff hike would take effect only after administrative procedures, such as a Federal Register notice, Kang said the government will "calmly" respond to Trump's announced tariff hike.

In response to Trump's announcement, Cheong Wa Dae said it has not received an official notice or explanation over the proposed tariff hike from the U.S. government.

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who is currently in Canada, will visit the U.S. for talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo also plans to visit the U.S. soon for consultations with Jamieson Greer, head of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

Trump's claim that the South Korean legislature was not "living up to" the trade deal was apparently referring to a special investment bill currently pending at the National Assembly.

The bill was submitted by the ruling Democratic Party (DP) in November to support the country's US$350 billion investment pledge to the U.S.

In response, the DP held consultations with government officials and said it will review the bill and put it to a vote next month, calling for bipartisan support from the main opposition People Power Party for its passage.

In regard to a letter sent by James Heller, charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, earlier this month, Lee's office said it was not directly related to the proposed tariff hike.

The letter mainly urged the South Korean government "not to discriminate against U.S. companies in connection with digital-related issues," Cheong Wa Dae said, noting the government has explained through various channels that South Korea's regulations and legislation do not discriminate against foreign firms.

Trade experts raise the possibility that Korea's recent push for digital regulations, including an ongoing probe into U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang Inc.'s massive data leakage incident, affected Trump's decision.

U.S. lawmakers and investors have called the investigation into Coupang "discriminatory," while the State Department expressed "significant concerns" last month over Seoul's regulatory moves that could affect online platform businesses.

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