Seoul: South Korea will "actively consult with" the United States to ensure that it does not receive unfair treatment as Washington has initiated new trade investigations into Seoul and 15 other economies over alleged "unfair" trade practices related to excess manufacturing capacity, a senior official at Cheong Wa Dae stated Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the statement from the Cheong Wa Dae official followed an announcement by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer. The Trump administration published a Federal Register notice, initiating an investigation under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. This provision allows the USTR to examine unfair foreign trade practices on a country-by-country basis.

The Cheong Wa Dae official emphasized that the South Korean government plans to actively engage with the U.S. to ensure that the balance of interests secured in the existing South Korea-U.S. tariff deal is maintained and that South Korea does not receive less favorable treatment compared to other major countries.

The USTR's announcement occurred as the administration seeks to replace the invalidated country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs rolled out under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the Supreme Court struck down last month.

The investigation will involve South Korea, China, India, Japan, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Mexico, as stated by the USTR.