Yonhap reports that South Korea is seeing Trump start tariff talks with Seoul and Japan, as well as India.

Han Duck-soo, South Korea's acting president, said that Donald Trump, the U.S. president, appeared to have ordered on Monday that talks about tariffs begin immediately with South Korea and Japan, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Han said that he also expected a video conference between U.S. officials and South Korean officials to discuss the proposed Alaska LNG Project soon, Yonhap reported.

Han, a member of the Economic Security Strategy Task Force, was quoted saying that the acting president had detailed South Korea's position on tariff negotiations with Trump. The U.S. President had expressed satisfaction.

Yonhap reported that he also promised to speak directly to Trump again, if needed, as part of the efforts to find a common ground for cooperation between the two countries in relation to liquefied gas (LNG), and shipbuilding.

Last week, South Korea’s Trade and Industry Minister said that potential cooperation with Washington on the shipbuilding front was a “very important card” in negotiations over tariffs.

The minister noted that South Korea is interested in the Alaska LNG Project, part of Trump's effort to boost U.S. Gas Exports. However, any participation will depend on discussions with Washington.

Kim Hong-kyun (Seoul's first Vice Foreign Minister) told the parliament on Monday that Trump has not yet proposed talks to negotiate the defence costs associated with U.S. soldiers stationed in Korea.

He said that South Korea is preparing for a variety of scenarios.

Trump has stated that he

Han Han

Last week, the U.S. government announced that South Korea would pay "big time" for U.S. protection. This signaled that tariffs and trade could not be the only issue. (Reporting and editing by Jack Kim, Hyunsu Yaim)

(source: Reuters)