[Financial News] To head off U.S. President Donald Trump’s sudden threat to impose a 25% reciprocal tariff hike, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun will depart for the United States on the morning of the 3rd. Ahead of Minister Cho’s trip, Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited the United States and held talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard William Lutnick, but failed to secure a withdrawal of the tariff hike plan. Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo also traveled to the U.S. for negotiations with the U.S. government, but did not achieve results. As a result, if the 25% tariff increase is published in the official gazette as President Trump has signaled, it will take effect immediately. The burden on Minister Cho, who has stepped in as problem-solver, has grown heavier. On the afternoon of the 3rd (local time), Minister Cho will hold a Korea–U.S. foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Because Secretary Rubio is considered one of President Trump’s most trusted inner-circle aides, attention is focused on whether the United States will withdraw its 25% tariff pressure after this meeting. This will be the first Korea–U.S. foreign ministers’ meeting since the release on November 14 last year of the "Joint Fact Sheet from the Korea–U.S. summit." Minister Cho is first expected to use his meeting with Secretary Rubio to gauge President Trump’s true intentions behind the tariff pressure. President Trump has used his social media accounts to blame the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea for failing to approve Korea’s investment commitments to the United States agreed at the Korea–U.S. summit. However, some observers see the roots of U.S. political discontent in the National Assembly’s hearings on U.S. firm Coupang and the push to introduce the Online Platform Act. Minister Cho has drawn a clear line, stating that Coupang and the Online Platform Act are unrelated to President Trump’s surprise tariff hike proposal. At a full session of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 28th of last month, he stressed that there is "absolutely no connection" with the Online Platform Act. At a Kwanhun Forum debate on the 29th, he also said, "We view Coupang as unrelated to these tariffs. In negotiations with the United States, I wonder if we are not undercutting our own bargaining position," expressing concern. He went on, "We should not be startled by Trump’s sudden social media announcement. We simply need to respond calmly and negotiate," signaling confidence. Minister Cho has also raised the possibility, in the worst case, of a trade lawsuit against the U.S. government. Another line of analysis points to Korea’s hesitation to join the "Trump Peace Committee," an international body launched by President Trump last month, as a contributing factor. President Trump sent invitations to join the Peace Committee to 61 countries worldwide, including Korea. He has long viewed the Gaza Strip in the Middle East, Ukraine in Europe, and the Korean Peninsula in Asia as priority regions for Peace Committee membership. Russia and several Middle Eastern countries are reported to have already conveyed positive views on joining to President Trump. President Lee Jae-myung, however, has not yet stated a position on the Trump Peace Committee invitation. On this, Minister Cho explained, "We were notified somewhat abruptly. Assessment and review must come first," indicating that Korea’s decision on joining remains pending. Minister Cho also predicted that the Trump Peace Committee will not be able to replace the United Nations (UN). To obtain permanent membership without term limits in the Peace Committee, a country must donate at least 1 billion dollars (about 1.4–1.5 trillion won) in its founding year. Basic membership, however, is free and allows a three-year term. During this trip to the United States, Minister Cho will also attend a U.S.-led ministerial meeting on critical minerals. He is scheduled to take part in the ministerial meeting on critical minerals in Washington on the 4th. On that occasion, he will also hold a bilateral meeting with Secretary Rubio. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "This will be a venue where the United States, the Group of Seven (G7), and mineral-producing countries gather to discuss cooperation for stabilizing and diversifying the supply chains of critical minerals," adding, "Since the United States has focused on reducing its dependence on Chinese critical minerals after China announced export controls on rare earth elements (REE) last year, related discussions are expected." rainman@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Kyung-soo Reporter