Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump have committed to expediting a tariff agreement during their initial phone call since Lee's election, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
According to Anadolu Agency, during the 20-minute conversation, Trump extended his congratulations to Lee on his electoral victory. Lee responded by underscoring the importance of the South Korea-US alliance as a fundamental aspect of Seoul's foreign policy. Both leaders expressed a mutual intent to swiftly reach a satisfactory tariff agreement. They also agreed to support efforts for a concrete outcome in the upcoming working-level discussions.
Lee, representing the liberal party, assumed office on June 3 following the impeachment and removal of former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced charges of attempting to declare martial law in December.
In April, the US levied a 25% tariff on South Korea under Trump's 'reciprocal' global tariff policy. This was temporarily reduced to 10% for a 90-day period, which is set to end on July 8.
Trump has invited Lee to visit the United States, and both leaders have agreed to meet at the earliest feasible opportunity. The upcoming G7 summit in Canada from June 15-17 and the NATO summit in the Netherlands from June 24-25 are being considered as potential venues for their first face-to-face meeting.