Tariff war pushes Korea to revive bid to join Japan-led CPTPP trade bloc

Korea is moving to revive a bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), an Asia-Pacific trade bloc led by Japan, as it grapples with a global tariff war. The renewed push comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, which are exerting pressure on export-reliant economies such as Korea to secure alternative markets and supply chain partners. The Lee Jae Myung administration has repeatedly expressed interest in joining the CPTPP, and on Wednesday confirmed that a potential membership in the trade alliance is under review. “We’ll review the CPTPP in order to secure an economic alliance network with countries that share similar positions,” the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in a press release after a meeting of economy-related ministers, presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo also emphasized the need for a strategic overhaul of Korea’s trade policy. “It’s time to diversify our export markets and begin strategic reviWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times