Following President Trump's push for a 'reciprocal tariff' policy and a 90-day suspension of its implementation, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Australia, and India have become the first priority negotiation targets. According to South Korean media, the South Korean government has received proactive contact from the US, and a '2+2 format' trade consultation is expected to take place next week in Washington, likely on the 24th or 25th Eastern Time.

This meeting was initiated by the US and will involve the heads of the economic and trade departments from both countries. The South Korean delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy An Deok-geun, while the US will send Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Both sides are still coordinating the specific agenda and discussion topics for the meeting.

The South Korean government emphasizes that they are using the term 'trade consultation' rather than 'trade negotiation', indicating their intention to avoid prematurely entering formal negotiation phases. They hope to navigate the discussions in a way that preserves flexibility and autonomy for potential future administrations.