The trade ministry and the Korea International Trade Association(KITA)
jointly held a conference Tuesday to seek the opinions of exporting
industries in the wake of last week’s trade talks between South Korean
and U.S. officials.

In the short term, the exporters asked the government to actively
negotiate tariffs with the U.S. and devise support measures so they
won’t lose competitiveness in the face of the new tariffs.

In the mid- and long term, they proposed that the government boost
industrial cooperation with the U.S., expanding its budget for research
and development while strengthening tax support.

The trade ministry vowed to strengthen trade finance assistance to
stabilize the business of firms hit by the U.S. tariffs while expanding
trade insurance support.

It also promised to sharply expand the so-called Tariff Response Export
Vouchers to help exporters tackle difficulties.