TARIFF DEAL ON BILATERAL ALLIANCE

Hope your workweek is off to a good start.

It's Monday August 4th here in Seoul.

I'm Min Sunhee.

The recently sealed trade deal between South Korea and the U.S. is poised to go into effect starting Thursday this week that is August 7th.

That being said on Press Perspective today we REVISIT the trade deal and its broader implications on the bilateral alliance and more.

For more I have Celio Fioretti with French daily La Croix.

Celio welcome back.

I also have research fellow Peter Lee from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies with the pundit's take on the day's discussion.

Peter it's good to have you here again.

Celio, last week, South Korea and the U.S. signed their deal on tariffs and trade.

Let's start by walking through the broad agreement between the two countries.

Peter, speaking within your capacity as a researcher, what aspects of the deal do you applaud, and what aspects are you slightly apprehensive about?

And Celio, what has been the various reactions to the deal sealed between Seoul and Washington?

Peter, first, I'd like you to play for you a soundbite from the White House that claims the trade deal offers "historic market access to American rice" into South Korea.

Do take a listen.

"will pay a 15% tariff rate, including 15% on autos, while providing historic market access to American goods like autos and rice. Korea will purchase $100 billion in American energy by 2028, and the centerpiece of this deal is that South Korea has agreed to invest $350 billion at the president's direction to revitalize American industry."

Peter, officials here have said there has been no change with regard to South Korea's import of American rice as well as its beef.

What are your thoughts regarding these remarks by the White House?

And Celio, within the agriculture arena here, farmers have not hidden their intentions to respond strongly to any South Korea concession to Mr. Trump with regard to rice and beef.

Do tell us more.

Peter, contrary to initial expectations, defense cost-sharing was not included in the latest trade deal between Seoul and Washington.

Do you expect this topic to emerge during the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump at the White House this month?

Celio, staying with security.

Top defense officials of Seoul and Washington recently held talks on the phone.

Do tell us a bit about what was discussed and its broader implications.

Peter, what are the potential consequences of a shrink in size in U.S. troop presence here in South Korea?

Celio, over in Washington, D.C. last week, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun sat down with his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio.

Again, do fill us in on their talks and your takeaways.

Peter, the two diplomats reportedly reaffirmed their commitment to denuclearization of North Korea.

Some pundits are claiming nuclear weapons control would be a more realistic alternative.

How do you respond?

All right.