US President Donald Trump Praises US–South Korea Ties As New Trade Deal Is Finalised

US President Donald Trump described the country’s ties with South Korea as ‘great’ following the conclusion of a new trade agreement earlier this week, capping off months of challenging negotiations over tariffs.

Speaking during a press interaction, Trump was responding to a question about his upcoming summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, which he confirmed is scheduled to take place at the White House in two weeks.

“We have a great relationship with South Korea,” Trump stated briefly, according to Yonhap news agency.

The new trade agreement, announced on Wednesday, includes a commitment by the US to reduce its proposed reciprocal tariff rate on South Korea from 25 percent to 15 percent.

In exchange, Seoul has agreed to significant investment and energy import commitments.

South Korea to Invest in US Energy Sector

President Trump noted that President Lee’s visit to Washington will take place in two weeks, while South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that discussions are in progress to finalise the summit schedule.

Meanwhile, the South Korean government clarified that the deal does not involve any changes to its rice import policy.

“The Korea-US trade deal did not cover the rice issue,” said a joint statement from South Korea’s finance, industry, and agriculture ministries, addressing concerns raised after the White House indicated the agreement expanded access for US agricultural products, including rice.

On Thursday, both countries confirmed that South Korea has pledged to invest $350 billion in the US economy and to purchase $100 billion worth of American liquefied natural gas and other energy resources over the next four years.

In return, the US will implement the agreed-upon lower tariff rate.

The White House had earlier pressed Seoul to relax its restrictions on American beef and rice imports.

In particular, Washington had objected to Korea’s ongoing ban on beef from US cattle aged over 30 months, though this issue remains unresolved in the current agreement.

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