<br><br>**SKorea's Diplomatic Push Can US Tariff Talks Bring Relief?**<br><br>As global trade tensions continue to simmer, South Korea is poised to resume crucial talks with Washington on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Jeju Island. The high-stakes negotiations come amidst growing concerns over the global trading system and the fallout from US President Donald Trump's surprise tariffs imposed on most partners last month.<br><br>**Background**<br><br>In late April, South Korean Minister of Trade and Industry Ahn Duk-geun proposed a July Package aimed at removing tariffs. The package includes commitments to increase purchases of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) and offer support in shipbuilding, an industry in which South Korea is a leader. With the country heavily reliant on exports, Seoul hopes to leverage these talks to avoid Trump's steep tariffs.<br><br>**APEC Meeting**<br><br>Trade ministers from top economies that make up APEC are gathering on Jeju Island for a series of bilateral negotiations, with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer holding meetings with counterparts from key nations. Among those seeking to meet Lighthizer is Chinese international trade representative Li Chenggang, just days after the two agreed to slash tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days.<br><br>**Key Meetings**<br><br>Lighthizer is scheduled to meet Ahn Duk-geun on Friday, with Seoul hoping for significant progress in talks to avoid Trump's tariffs. The US trade chief will also meet Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai, which owns South Korea's largest shipbuilding company. Discussions will cover cooperation with US shipmaker Huntington Ingalls Industries.<br><br>**Impact**<br><br>The auto industry accounts for 27 percent of South Korea's exports to the United States, taking in nearly half of the country's car exports. Trump announced additional reciprocal tariffs of up to 25 percent on South Korean exports last month, but later suspended them until early July. The country has been severely impacted by the 25 percent tariffs on automobiles imposed by President Donald Trump in early April.<br><br>**Conclusion**<br><br>As SKorea and Washington resume tariff talks at APEC, the stakes are high for both sides. Will Seoul's diplomatic push yield results? Only time will tell.
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