President Trump and South Korean acting President Han Duck-Soo spoke Tuesday about making a “great deal” on tariffs as countries scramble to negotiate with Washington ahead of additional global levies taking effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Trump, 78, described the conversation with Han as a “great call” and claimed on Truth Social that Seoul’s “top TEAM is on a plane heading the the U.S., and things are looking good.”
South Korea will face 25% tariffs on its exports to the US as part of Trump’s “Liberation Day” duty package announced April 2.
“We are likewise dealing with many other countries, all of whom want to make a deal with the United States,” the president said. “Like with South Korea, we are bringing up other subjects that are not covered by Trade and Tariffs, and getting them negotiated also. ‘ONE STOP SHOPPING’ is a beautiful and efficient process!!!”
Tuesday’s call with Han took place one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Jewish state wanted to remove all trade barriers with Washington and Vietnamese leaders headed to the US to strike a deal of their own.
Trump has repeatedly said he would be willing to negotiate with any foreign country who wishes to take in more US goods.
The president even expressed openness to talking to China Tuesday, one day after threatening to impose an additional 50% levy on Beijing on top of the 34% announced last week.
“China also wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started,” Trump said on Truth Social. “We are waiting for their call. It will happen!”
South Korea, unlike China, is not interested in retaliating against US tariffs or coordinating with other regional powers, Han told CNN on Tuesday.
“I don’t think that kind of fighting back will improve the situation dramatically,” he said, minimizing the significance of a recent trilateral trade summit with China and Japan. “I don’t think it will be really profitable for the three of us, and especially for Korea.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business Network Monday that talks with countries over tariffs may extend into June before the global trade regime is fully reset.
