Overview

• The United States will impose 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on Korean imports starting August 1 if Seoul does not remove key non-tariff barriers including the beef age limit.
• Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo signaled that lifting the ban on U.S. beef over 30 months old could be offered as a strategic concession, though no final decision has been announced.
• Major farming and livestock associations and opposition lawmakers have warned they will mobilize collective action to defend food sovereignty if concessions proceed without their consent.
• Negotiations remain focused on U.S. demands to expand rice and biotech imports, ease automotive emission standards and relax Korea’s online platform regulations.
• Seoul is pursuing a comprehensive package deal tying potential agricultural openings to cooperation in shipbuilding, semiconductors and energy to strengthen economic and security ties.