On-point: Will S. Korea-U.S. summit be any help to solve tariff issues?

In about 10 days, South Korea will have a new leader, which also raises hopes of a possible South Korea-U.S. summit and a solution to the lingering U.S. tariff issues.

Let's discuss more with Professor Kim Hwagyun.

Welcome back.

1. I'd like to begin with the latest trade figures.

According to the Korea Customs Service on Wednesday, exports in the first three weeks in May were down 2.4% on year.

Would you say we are already being hit by tariff-related repercussions?

2. And the second round of trade negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. were more timely than ever.

Do you think the U.S. proposed what it really wants at the talks this time?

Or do we know what they are already, without the U.S. telling South Korea?

3. Do you think there's no reason for the U.S. or South Korea to rush the trade negotiations since there'll be a new South Korean government soon after the June 3rd election?

Or is the U.S. more desperate here? Or not?

4. South Korea will have a new leader in about 11 days.

Will a summit between a new South Korean leader and U.S. President Donald Trump be of any help in solving the trade issues?

Or no?

5. But neither South Korea nor the U.S. wants to pass July 31st when the 90-day tariff pause is expired, right?

Or is that deadline just a temporary deadline to put pressure on trading partners including South Korea?

Thanks for joining us this morning.

We appreciate it.