TRUMP'S TARIFFS ON AMERICA'S ALLIES

Hello and welcome to yet another edition of Press Perspective.

It's Tuesday July 15th here in Seoul.

I'm Min Sunhee.

When the Trump administration initially postponed the imposition of country-specific tariffs to July 9th back in April it predicted 90 deals in 90 days.

The U.S. has sealed two deals thus far one with the U.K. and the other with Vietnam.

What's more just days AHEAD of the July deadline U.S. allies including South Korea and neighboring Japan were slapped with letters simply informing them of their respective tariff rates.

For more I have Shin Hieun with Agence France Presse.

Hieun it's been a long time.

Welcome back.

I also have Peter Lee a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

Peter it's a pleasure to have you with us.

Hieun, a week ago, Mr. Trump sent letters to 14 foreign governments including 10 here in Asia, unilaterally informing them of their respective tariffs starting August 1st.

Politico covered the response from America's allies here in Asia.

Do tell us a bit about this coverage and what have been your own observations on the ground?

Peter, there is a stark difference in response to this latest U.S. threat regarding tariffs between South Korea and Japan.

South Korea sees it as a three-week extension while Japan appears vexed.

How do you explain this discrepancy in response from the two American allies?

Hieun, do tell us a bit about the package deal that South Korea has proposed to the U.S. amid the fresh threat over tariffs.

Peter, MSNBC says the latest tariff threat has reinforced the belief that "Trump cannot be trusted."

What are your thoughts, and what contingency plan do you propose for South Korea as it seeks to work with an America under the Trump administration?

Hieun, the new government here has been seeking a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and his American counterpart Donald Trump.

What is the latest on that front?

Peter, the Lee administration has highlighted the importance of a pragmatic approach to trade and diplomacy.

Is this a possible strategy keeping in mind the Trump administration's pressure on its partners to contain China?

Hieun, for the sake of comparison, do share with us the tariff rates set by Mr. Trump on America's biggest trade partners Canada and Mexico as well as the EU and their respective responses.

Peter, some regional scholars believe the confusion caused by Mr. Trump over global trade may be a "great gift" to China.

Do you share this sentiment?

Can China replace the U.S. in terms of regional trade?

All right.