The presidential office says the United States has agreed to lower not
only its reciprocal tariff but also its tariff on South Korean
automobiles to 15 percent.

Presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom revealed the
information on Thursday during a news briefing on the trade deal.

Kim said the 25 percent reciprocal tariff that the U.S. was set to
impose on South Korea starting Friday will be lowered to 15 percent and
the tariff on automobiles, one of the country’s key export items, will
also be reduced to 15 percent.

The policy chief said the country will not be at a disadvantage
compared with other countries regarding the planned tariffs on
semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

Kim acknowledged that there were strong demands from the U.S. for the
further opening of South Korea’s agricultural and livestock markets.

But he added that taking into account food security and the sensitivity
of the agricultural sector, South Korea did not agree to further open
its rice and beef markets.