Seoul: The government will closely communicate with the United States over the ongoing legislative progress on a special bill to support Seoul's investment plans in the U.S., the finance ministry said Tuesday, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties for Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Economy and Finance stated that they are currently working to gauge the intentions of the U.S. side. The ministry emphasized the importance of engaging with the U.S. government to explain developments in discussions over the legislation at the National Assembly.

The announcement followed Trump's social media post indicating an increase in "reciprocal" tariffs and auto tariffs on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent. He attributed this decision to the Korean legislature's delay in completing the domestic process to implement the bilateral trade deal between the two countries.

In November, Seoul's ruling Democratic Party submitted a special bill to support the country's US$350 billion investment pledge to the U.S. This pledge was part of the tariff deal negotiated between the two nations.

The finance ministry also indicated plans to seek the assembly's cooperation for the bill's passage during a meeting scheduled between the finance minister and the chair of the parliamentary finance committee later in the day.