South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Denies Trade‑Deal Delay as Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs
Updated (4 articles)
Cho Hyun’s Washington Arrival and High‑Level Talks South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrived in Washington on Feb 3, 2026 to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend a critical‑minerals forum. The meeting, held the same day, aimed to explain Seoul’s pending trade legislation and ease rising U.S. pressure. Cho also scheduled briefings with U.S. Trade Representative Greer and members of Congress during the trip. [2][3][4]
Trump’s 25% Tariff Warning Linked to Legislative Lag President Donald Trump warned that if South Korea’s special investment bill remains stalled, the United States will raise reciprocal tariffs on Korean autos, lumber and pharmaceuticals from the current 15% to 25%. The threat followed an eight‑day deadline announced after the perceived delay in the National Assembly’s approval of the bilateral trade pact. Rubio reiterated U.S. concern over the implementation climate on the eve of a critical‑minerals ministerial meeting. [1][2][3][4]
$350 Billion Investment Pledge Underpins Tariff Concessions The bilateral agreement obliges Seoul to invest US$350 billion in U.S. industries, a commitment that secured the U.S. concession to lower tariffs on Korean goods to 15%. Cho emphasized that the Democratic Party’s special bill, submitted in November, is designed to fulfill that investment requirement. U.S. officials, including Rubio, indicated that progress on the investment bill will be a key factor in maintaining the reduced tariff rate. [1][2][3][4]
Nuclear Submarine Rights and Critical‑Minerals Cooperation Discussed November joint fact sheet granted U.S. approval for South Korea to build nuclear‑powered attack submarines and supported Seoul’s bid for civil uranium enrichment and spent‑fuel reprocessing. During the Washington talks, Cho sought coordination among U.S. agencies on submarine, nuclear‑energy, and shipbuilding agreements. He also attended the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial on Feb 4, intended to diversify supply chains and counter China’s dominance in rare‑earth markets. [1][2][3][4]
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: South Korean Foreign Minister Rejects Claims of Trade‑Deal Delay: Reports Cho’s denial of intentional legislative slowdown, details Trump’s tariff threat, $350 billion investment pledge, and nuclear submarine rights, emphasizing Cho’s request for agency coordination.
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2.
Yonhap: South Korean Foreign Minister Meets U.S. Secretary of State Amid Rising Tariff Threats: Highlights Feb 3 meeting, eight‑day deadline after Trump’s warning, Cho’s intent to clarify the special bill, and upcoming Critical Minerals Ministerial on Feb 4.
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3.
Yonhap: South Korean FM Cho Hyun Meets US Secretary Rubio Amid Threatened Tariffs: Focuses on Cho’s arrival, Trump’s tariff threat, explanation of pending legislation, and discussion of uranium enrichment, linking to the critical‑minerals forum.
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4.
Yonhap: South Korean Foreign Minister to Detail Parliamentary Process to U.S. Amid Trade Tension: Describes Cho’s pre‑trip briefing on National Assembly procedures, reaffirmation of the $350 billion investment, downplaying leverage on uranium talks, and participation in the critical‑minerals meeting.
Timeline
Nov 2025 – The United States and South Korea release a joint fact sheet approving Seoul’s plan to build nuclear‑powered attack submarines and endorsing its bid for civil uranium enrichment and spent‑fuel reprocessing rights, linking these security measures to the broader trade pact [1].
Nov 2025 – South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party submits a special trade‑deal bill to the National Assembly to enable the $350 billion investment pledge required under the bilateral trade agreement, setting the legislative groundwork for the deal [2][3][4].
Jan 2026 – President Donald Trump warns that reciprocal tariffs on South Korean autos, lumber and pharmaceuticals will rise from 15 % to 25 % if Seoul’s legislative process stalls, creating pressure on the Korean government to accelerate the bill [2][3][4].
Late Jan 2026 – Trump publicly announces that the United States could impose the 25 % tariff increase if the special investment bill remains stalled, heightening the urgency of the trade‑implementation timeline [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Foreign Minister Cho Hyun lands in Washington, meets Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and prepares to attend the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, pledging to explain South Korea’s pending trade legislation and defuse the tariff threat [2][3][4].
Feb 3, 2026 – Rubio schedules the Critical Minerals Ministerial for the next day, aiming to diversify rare‑earth and other critical‑mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China [2].
Feb 4, 2026 – Cho participates in the Critical Minerals Ministerial, discussing supply‑chain diversification, reaffirming the $350 billion investment commitment, and seeking broader strategic cooperation [2].
Feb 5, 2026 – In a Washington press briefing, Cho denies any deliberate delay of the investment bill, reiterates the $350 billion pledge, and requests U.S. agency coordination on nuclear‑submarine, civil‑nuclear and shipbuilding agreements [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – Cho meets U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who stresses the need for progress on strategic investments and the removal of non‑tariff barriers to keep the trade pact on track [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – Rubio warns that the U.S. domestic climate is unfavorable toward Seoul’s implementation of trade commitments, underscoring Washington’s concern over the legislative lag [1].
Feb 2026 (later) – Cho plans to brief members of the U.S. Congress on South Korea’s legislative timeline and investment pledge, aiming to secure bipartisan support and avert the threatened tariff increase [4].