APEC trade ministers' meeting kicks off in S. Korea amid economic uncertainty from Trump's tariffs

Trade officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation kicked off their two-day meeting in Korea's Jeju today against the backdrop of tougher trade conditions in light of U.S. tariffs.

Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji has the latest.

Top trade officials from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member states, including the U.S. and China, have gathered on Jeju Island ahead of the APEC leaders' summit later this year.

Led by South Korea's Minister for Trade Cheong In-kyo, this is the first time in 20 years that the country is hosting the APEC trade ministers' meeting.

"I hope today's meeting will lay a solid foundation for dialogue and collaboration to overcome the political and economic challenges as well as uncertainties that we encounter."

On the sidelines of the event, Cheong held a bilateral meeting with China's top trade envoy, Li Chenggang, and also sat down for talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday evening.

Greer is also set to meet South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun on Friday.

The two officials last met in Washington three weeks ago, where South Korea requested exemptions from reciprocal tariffs, while offering cooperation on shipbuilding and energy.

Both sides are currently working to produce a package of deals to remove new U.S. tariffs before the July 8th deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted.

"This year's event especially drew a lot of attention as major APEC member countries are seeking trade deals with the United States, after President Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs in April."

With trade officials from the U.S. and China both here in Jeju, a meeting between them on Thursday afternoon was also closely watched, as this could be seen as a potential move to make further progress to address trade friction.

This comes after the world's two largest economies agreed last weekend in Geneva to temporarily lower most tariffs in a bid to defuse the trade war.

Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News, Jeju.