South Korea's acting President Han speaks to Trump amid fallout over tariffs

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo on Tuesday spoke to US President Donald Trump over the phone amid continuing fallout from Trump’s worldwide tariffs.

The half-hour phone call covered the US tariffs on the East Asian nation, as Seoul sought exemption from the levies, much like other Asian nations who say they want to negotiate for exemptions or a rate cut.

The leaders also discussed trade surpluses, shipbuilding, large purchase of U.S. natural gas, as well as a joint Alaska pipeline venture and payment for the "big time Military Protection" Washington provides to Seoul, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"We have the confines and probability of a great DEAL for both countries," said Trump.

Trump also said top officials from Seoul are on their way to Washington to hold talks.

The Trump administration last week announced the imposition of tariffs on imports from most of the world, including a 25% duty on South Korean goods, set to take effect on Wednesday.

The phone call also marked the first conversation held between the countries’ top officials since Trump's inauguration in January, following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment in December and official removal from office this month over his short-lived imposition of martial law.