U.S. names South Korea's trade barriers ahead of reciprocal tariff impositions

In other news.

A recent report by the U.S. office for foreign trade policy is raising concern here in Korea as the findings draw attention to what they claim are barriers.

Our Ahn Sung-jin reports.

The Trump administration is putting scrutiny on South Korea's trade barriers.

The United States Trade Representative on Monday local time released a 7-page National Trade Estimate report, which stated that emissions-related regulations on imported vehicles and the pricing of pharmaceutical products remain a barrier to trade.

The U.S.' concerns came from a lack of transparency despite South Korea's Clean Air Conservation Act layout, and added that market entry for U.S. automotive manufacturers into South Korea remains a top priority.

Korea's prioritization of local technology over foreign technology in defense procurement has also been labeled a barrier.

In the case of the pharmaceutical and medical industry, the report said Korea lacks transparency and opportunity for stakeholders to "input into proposed policy changes."

It also noted Seoul's import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, calling the restriction a transitional measure.

Other trade barriers include digital trade barriers such as network usage fees that allegedly feed into a monopoly of internet service providers.

The USTR releases an annual report to the President and Congress that documents obstacles for U.S. exporters and solutions including efforts to overcome these barriers.

Though these trade barriers have already been brought up in the past, with Trump's hard-line tariff impositions, they seem more pertinent.

South Korea's Trade Ministry pledged to closely analyze the trade barriers in the report and discuss these issues with relevant ministries and stakeholders to draft a response.

The government also plans to consult with the U.S. through working-level channels to further explain Seoul's non-tariff measures.

Trump's efforts to impose reciprocal tariffs will resume from the beginning of April.

He has stated that further details will become clearer between the night of April 1st or 2nd Eastern Time.

Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.