Overview

• The US will impose 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on Korean exports from August 1 unless Seoul removes non-tariff barriers including the beef age restriction.
• Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo signaled that Seoul is open to easing the 30-month age limit on US beef during talks in Washington.
• Farming and livestock groups led by the Hanwoo Association and National Farmers’ Federation warned that rolling back the ban would undermine food sovereignty and harm domestic producers.
• The 30-month restriction was introduced in 2008 under the Korea-US free trade agreement to address public fears over mad cow disease.
• Despite the age ban, South Korea imported 221,629 tons of US beef last year, accounting for nearly half of its total beef imports.