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| ▲ Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks to the press at a train station in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 14, 2026. (Yonhap) |
Cheong Wa Dae-chip tariffs
S. Korea says it will consult with U.S. under 'no less favorable' principle
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to consult with Washington to minimize the impact of a U.S. chip tariff proclamation on South Korean firms, a presidential official said Sunday, citing a bilateral principle that South Korea should receive treatment "no less favorable" than that applied to other major countries.
The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump recently signed a proclamation to levy a 25 percent tariff on certain semiconductors for artificial intelligence (AI), which are imported to the U.S. and then reexported to other countries. The White House has also said that Trump may impose "broader" tariffs on imports of semiconductors and their derivative products.
"Under the principle (agreed upon by South Korea and the United States) of offering (conditions) that are 'no less favorable,' we will hold consultations to minimize the impact on South Korean companies," the official said.
"When the two countries announced a joint fact sheet on their tariff talks last year, it was indicated that 'conditions no less favorable compared with major countries' will be applied to South Korea in the semiconductor sector," the official said.
The official said that Washington's recent agreement with Taiwan will be thoroughly reviewed, in what was seen as the government's bid to seek conditions that are no less favorable compared with Taiwan.
The presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae is expected to receive briefings from the trade ministry, as well as feedback from chip makers, to prepare for negotiations with the U.S.
The recent agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan on the chip tariffs raised questions over whether it will set a standard for chip makers from other countries, including South Korea.
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo has assessed the proclamation as having a "limited" impact on local chip makers but noted that uncertainties still linger as Washington could announce a second-stage tariff measure for semiconductors. He promised to work closely with local companies to bring about the "best outcome."
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