No Deal Yet - South Korea on Tenterhooks as US Tariff Deadline Nears

Sudden cancellations of meetings by top US officials are a pressure tactic, say analysts

- Wendy Teo

SEOUL - As the clock ticks down to Aug 1, the pressure is on for Seoul officials. With the White House's threat of 25 per cent tariffs looming over the horizon, Seoul appears to be left in the dust as other key United States partners, such as Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia, swooped to the finishing line with deals cobbled on July 22 and 23.

In contrast, Seoul officials have had doors shut in their faces as planned high-level meetings were scrapped at the very last minute with no clear reasons given.

South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and newly appointed Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol were due for a "2+2" meeting with their respective counterparts, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on July 25, but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute via e-mail, with US officials citing an "urgent scheduling conflict" on Mr Bessent's part.

South Korean media reports have claimed that Mr Bessent had met Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong instead. Mr Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, was in the US from July 20 to 26 to deepen trade and tech ties.

Earlier on July 21, Seoul's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac was left waiting in vain in the West Wing of the White House when a scheduled meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio was cancelled after Mr Rubio was summoned for an urgent meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Mr Wi, whose talks on the diplomatic track were meant to supplement the economic officials' consultations, told reporters that he managed to subsequently speak with Mr Rubio over the phone where the latter pledged thorough discussions with Mr Trump along with other trade officials. South Korea's newly appointed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun had just started work on July 21.