Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo Heads Home, Says U.S. Agencies Consulting on Publishing Tariff Hike in Federal Register

[Financial News]
Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo said on the 3rd (local time) that the U.S. administration is holding inter-agency consultations to officially publish President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariff increases on Korean products in the Federal Register.
Meeting with Korean correspondents in Washington, D.C., Yeo said, "I had an in-depth discussion for more than two hours with Rick Switzer, deputy at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)," adding, "I focused on fully explaining that Korea intends to implement, as promised, the joint fact sheet, including investment commitments in the United States, and that we are already making progress."
Yeo noted, "There were aspects of Korea’s system that differed from the U.S. system and had not been well understood, and this time I was able to explain them in sufficient detail," while also saying, "It seems we will need to continue this kind of outreach going forward."
Regarding speculation that the U.S. side has begun the process of publishing the tariff increases on Korean products, as pledged by President Trump, in the Federal Register, he replied, "I believe they are going through consultations among the relevant agencies within the U.S. government."
It was reported that scheduling difficulties prevented a meeting with USTR chief Jamieson Greer. Yeo said, "I met Representative Greer two weeks ago at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and we had extensive discussions," adding, "Since the United States and India reached a tariff agreement the previous day, his schedule became very tight, so I met with the deputy instead."

aber@fnnews.com Reporter Park Ji-young Reporter