Gu Yoon-cheol Deputy Prime Minister "Visit to the US as soon as possible... Striving for results that align with national interests"
- Input
- 2025-07-21 11:01:07
- Updated
- 2025-07-21 11:01:07
August 1st deadline for mutual tariffs approaching... Final negotiations coordinated with the Trump administration
Departure with the Minister of Industry, reserved on exchange rate discussion
Departure with the Minister of Industry, reserved on exchange rate discussion
[Financial News] Gu Yoon-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, met with reporters on the 21st and announced that he is coordinating the schedule for tariff negotiations between Korea and the US.
Deputy Prime Minister Gu said at the Sejong Government Complex that day, "As soon as consultations with the US are finalized, I will go as quickly as possible," and "I will do my best to explain our situation fully and achieve results that align with national interests and practicality."
With the deadline for mutual tariffs on Korea, announced by US President Donald Trump, approaching on August 1st, the first economic team of the Lee Jae-myung administration is set to engage in final negotiations through a visit to the US. Deputy Prime Minister Gu is reportedly planning to head to the US around the 23rd.
When asked "Will you leave within this week?" Deputy Prime Minister Gu replied, "Nothing has been confirmed yet," and "I am trying to go as soon as possible." Regarding accompanying Minister Kim Jeong-gwan of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, he said, "That issue also needs to be discussed with the US side," avoiding specific comments.
Deputy Prime Minister Gu is pursuing a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, who oversees trade negotiations for the US government. At the negotiation table, not only tariffs but also exchange rate issues may be discussed. Previously, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the US Treasury Department agreed to discuss exchange rate-related issues in a separate consultative body.
Regarding questions about exchange rate consultations that day, Deputy Prime Minister Gu avoided specific comments.
Regarding inflation response, Deputy Prime Minister Gu emphasized, "Due to recent disasters such as floods, the cost of living is unstable," and "stabilizing prices is more important than anything else right now."
spring@fnnews.com Reporter Lee Bo-mi