Korea rules out changes to beef, rice imports as part of trade deal with US: sources

The Korean government has decided not to use further opening of the country's beef and rice markets as bargaining chips in tariff negotiations with the United States, setting them as a "red line," sources said Wednesday. Such a decision was made in a meeting of related minister held the previous day, according to the sources familiar with the matter. The agricultural and livestock sectors had emerged as key sticking points in trade negotiations between the countries, as Korea seeks to get full exemption from or reduction of U.S. reciprocal tariffs, as well as sectoral duties on imported steel and automobiles. Among various issues, the U.S. is said to have requested Seoul to lift its import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older and expand imports of American rice. But considering the sensitivity of the two items in terms of safety and food security, Korea is considering further opening up its market for fuel instead, according to the sources. The age restriction on U.S. beef was introduced under the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement signed in 2008 amid fears over mad cow dWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times