Acting President says "more balanced and mutually beneficial" relationship with U.S. on trade possible

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has shared hopes to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump about tariffs and Korea's trade surplus with the U.S. which he believes is simply a "temporary phenomenon."

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal in an interview published this past Wednesday, Choi emphasized that the surplus is a result of Korean conglomerates including Samsung Electronics and Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor expanding their direct investments into the U.S.

He also spoke of Korea sharing its expertise in shipbuilding with the U.S., to assist the latter in strengthening its own naval industry.

He maintained that the two countries can work towards a "more balanced and mutually beneficial" trade relationship.