Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul has urged the United States to conduct bilateral tariff discussions with ample consideration for South Korea's upcoming presidential election on June 3. The request was made during a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as reported by the South Korean foreign ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho emphasized the importance of allowing sufficient time for these talks, as Seoul seeks exemptions from the Trump administration's "reciprocal" and sectoral tariffs. The goal is to achieve a "July package" agreement concerning trade, economic, and industrial cooperation before the July 8 deadline, which marks the end of President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs.
In a press release, the ministry highlighted Cho's call to strengthen the alliance through a robust combined defense posture against North Korea. He also sought close cooperation in finding mutually beneficial solutions from recent tariff consultations between South Korean and U.S. trade authorities. Cho requested Rubio's assistance in ensuring South Korea's status as a U.S. ally with a free trade agreement is adequately recognized in the discussions.
Secretary Rubio expressed his willingness to cooperate actively, as stated by the ministry. Cho expressed gratitude for the U.S.' steadfast support during South Korea's political transition and asked for Rubio's help in facilitating a prompt phone call between the new South Korean president and President Trump after the election.
Rubio reaffirmed the U.S.' commitment, including President Trump's, to bolstering the South Korea-U.S. alliance. He called for ongoing cooperation to further develop this partnership, which he noted has been strengthened by a mutual defense treaty, robust defense capabilities with extended deterrence, and an economic and technology partnership.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce provided a separate readout, indicating that Cho and Rubio agreed to modernize the countries' alliance around shared economic and national security objectives. This agreement aligns with trade consultations led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and it aims to address common regional threats.
Cho and Rubio reaffirmed the alliance's core mission of defending South Korea through a strong combined defense posture and enhancing mutual security based on the mutual defense treaty. Rubio reiterated the U.S.' commitment to providing extended deterrence to South Korea, utilizing the full spectrum of U.S. military capabilities, according to Bruce.