South Korea’s Yoon praises Trump in phone call as trade officials brace for tariffs

Published
0

 South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol answers a reporter’s question during a press conference at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea on November 7. — Reuters
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol answers a reporter’s question during a press conference at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea on November 7. — Reuters

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has spoken with Donald Trump and congratulated him on winning the US presidency on the “Make America Great Again” slogan as officials in Seoul worked to prepare for “significant” economic changes, Reuters.

Yoon and Trump held a 12-minute phone call and discussed the close security and economic ties of their two countries across all areas, a senior South Korean official said.

South Korea’s ambassador to the United States will also visit Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida to meet with members of the president-elect’s camp, Yonhap news agency reported, citing diplomatic sources.

South Korean officials worked past midnight on Wednesday to prepare for changes expected from US policies, with the Bank of Korea and think tanks seeing a potential hit to exports if the US hikes tariffs.

Meetings at the trade ministry that began in the hours after Trump’s victory led to back-to-back discussions earlier today as South Korea’s economic chiefs weighed the impact on exports of tariff levels floated by Trump ahead of the election.

Read more here.

Opinion

Editorial

Referendum talk
Updated 14 Nov, 2026

Referendum talk

Unless the PPP is deliberately using Sindh as a bargaining chip, it should issue a clarification with a clear, consistent position on new administrative units, not one tailored to protect its home turf.
Mineral wealth
Updated 14 Nov, 2026

Mineral wealth

Minerals should not be presented as a solution to Pakistan’s long-term economic difficulties. The aim should be to build an industrial base rather than export raw materials.
Late diagnosis
14 Nov, 2026

Late diagnosis

AS we mark World Diabetes Day today, Pakistan faces a troubling question: how many people are living with diabetes...
Climate challenges
Updated 13 Nov, 2026

Climate challenges

Pakistan cannot afford to confront its climate crises one disaster, one season and one international summit at a time.
Under fire
Updated 13 Nov, 2026

Under fire

KP police are increasingly vulnerable as they play a frontline role in ongoing operations against terrorists.
Used car imports
13 Nov, 2026

Used car imports

THE government’s effort to restrict used car imports appears to be faltering. So suggest the numbers. Despite...