TRUMP ANNOUNCES 25% TARIFF ON S. KOREA STARTING AUGUST

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective.

It's July 9th here in Seoul.

I'm Min Sunhee.

The July 9th deadline of the pause on country-specific U.S. tariffs ENDS today BUT the Trump administration has extended THAT pause to August first.

It has also sent its ally South Korea a letter unilaterally informing it of a 25-percent tariff even as senior officials of the Lee Jae Myung administration were engaged in related talks with their American counterparts in Washington.

For more I have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain.

Ruy welcome.

I also have Professor Oh Joon-seok at Sookmyung Women's University joining our talk virtually.

Professor Oh it's a pleasure.

Ruy, let's begin with the latest regarding U.S. tariffs.

The pause on country-specific tariffs comes to an end on this Wednesday, and the Trump administration has spoken of two options: letters informing American trade partners of their respective tariffs or trade deals.

South Korea has received a letter, informing the country of a 25-percent tariff.

Do tell us more.

Ruy, how many tariff deals has the U.S. sealed thus far?

Professor Oh, some believe this latest move by the Trump administration is a negotiation strategy.

Do you agree?

And simply speaking, what appears to be his negotiation strategy?

Professor Oh, what countermeasures has the South Korean government shared to offset U.S. tariff repercussions, and what are your thoughts?

Are there any structural policies that you believe should be prioritized?

Ruy, South Korean delegates have been flying into the U.S. in recent days for related talks.

What are some of the issues on the table as seen by Reuters?

Professor Oh, are FTAs losing their protective edge amid the presence of U.S. tariffs?

I mean, what is the fate of South Korea's FTA with the U.S. given Mr. Trump's pursuit of tariffs?

Ruy, how is the South Korean media framing these tariff talks between the U.S. and South Korea as well as the U.S. and the rest of its trade partners?

I mean, how is public sentiment being shaped around future engagement with the U.S.?

Professor Oh, Korea's exports rebounded in June amid sales of chips and cars to markets in Europe and Asia.

What is your outlook as U.S. tariffs kick in?

Also, could export market diversification serve to ease the fallout from U.S. tariffs?

All right.