US plans to impose new tariffs on South Korea, prompting diplomatic talks

The United States is moving forward with plans to increase tariffs on South Korean goods. U.S. Trade Minister Katherine Tai stated that interagency talks are underway to formalize the tariff hike, with the process to begin collecting the higher duties starting in mid-February.

South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho, are meeting with U.S. lawmakers like Senator Marco Rubio in Washington to discuss the issue. The potential tariffs come as Hyundai Motor Group, a major South Korean exporter, posted record-high sales in the U.S. for January. Separately, Hyundai decided not to buy back a car plant it had sold in Russia.