According to South Korean Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo, the United States has called for improved access to South Korea’s market, highlighting challenges in agriculture and technology.
Following talks in Washington, Cheong said US officials raised concerns over sanitary and quarantine measures affecting agricultural imports, including beef, and regulations on technology firms. While beef was not explicitly mentioned in discussions, a US trade report has previously cited South Korea’s restriction on beef imports from cattle over 30 months old as a barrier.
Cheong also sought an exemption from potential US tariffs expected to take effect in April but believes the Biden administration will likely proceed, particularly against countries with trade surpluses with the US.
US trade official Jamieson Greer has also criticised South Korea and the EU for their regulatory stance on US technology firms, raising concerns during a February Senate confirmation hearing.