January 28, 2026
South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan will meet United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington to clarify South Korea’s position on the South Korea-US trade deal. The visit comes after US President Donald Trump announced that he would raise tariffs on South Korean imports on 26 January, claiming that South Korea has delayed the trade deal agreed in December 2025. The legislation regarding the deal is expected to be approved during the parliamentary session of South Korean lawmakers in February. South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo is also scheduled to visit the US to discuss trade issues and prevent further escalations.