Presidential office says semiconductor tariffs part of deal with US

The presidential office said Thursday semiconductor tariffs were part of a finalized trade deal with the United States, dismissing remarks by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that chip tariffs were not a part of the deal. A senior presidential official made the remarks after Lutnick said in a social media post that semiconductor tariffs were not part of a trade deal. "The Korean government made the announcement based on the agreement" between the two nations, the official said. Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, said Wednesday that Seoul and Washington agreed Korean semiconductors would be subject to tariff levels not less favorable than those applied to Taiwan, one of Korea's key competitors. The official said the agreement has helped reduce uncertainties in the semiconductor sector by securing an "equal footing," noting that final reviews are under way on related documents that will include the provision. Seoul and Washington finalized the agreement on the details of Korea's $350 billion investment pledge and concluded a trade deal that will lower U.S. tariWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times