Seoul: Seoul is working to remove any potential hurdles to its food exports to the United States under the second Donald Trump administration, Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said Monday, noting the sector is expected to face less disruption compared with other industries. "With food prices in the U.S. remaining high, the possibility of Washington raising tariffs on agricultural products is low as it would lead to higher consumer prices," Song said during a meeting with reporters.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the remark came amid concerns Washington may adopt protectionist policies targeting countries with trade surpluses with the U.S., potentially affecting key trade partners, such as South Korea. "Compared with other areas, the agricultural sector is expected to be less affected," Song added. "Since there can be various scenarios, we are preparing countermeasures from various angles."

In 2024, the country's exports of agricultural products to the U.S. rose 21.1 percent on-year to US$1.59 billion, driven by the entry of South Korea's food products into major retailers, such as Costco. Song said the country aims to boost its overall exports of agricultural goods and related products to $14 billion this year, up from the record of $13 billion tallied in 2024.

"We expect exports of kimchi and dessert products to increase, following higher demand for instant noodles. The country also aims to expand exports to India and Latin America," the minister said.