Korea-US tariff agreement possible by APEC summit, Seoul's top security adviser says

NEW YORK — National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac raised the possibility on Tuesday that Seoul and Washington could make progress in resolving the deadlock over tariff talks around the time of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting late next month. The tariff talks have stalled since the two nations reached a broad agreement to reduce the U.S.' planned levy on Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent, with the main point of contention being Korea’s planned $350 billion investment fund. “Of course, the differences are significant, and adjusting positions is not easy, but I don’t think it’s impossible,” Wi told reporters in New York during President Lee Jae Myung’s trip to the U.S. for the 80th United Nations General Assembly. “Korea's position is grounded in objective facts and reason, not in unreasonable demands. That’s why I believe we can reach a compromise, and it would be best to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.” Wi added that a swift resolution is needed since the tariffs are already in place. He added that a settlement must be reWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times