The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy on November 25 organised a roundtable with Korean businesses operating in Vietnam to discuss strategies to respond to potential changes in US trade policies under the incoming administration of President-elected Donald Trump.

According to the ministry, the meeting, held in Seoul, came amid potential shifts under the second Trump administration, including the implementation of blanket tariffs on all imports, which are expected to impact Korean firms operating overseas as well.

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said at the meeting that the RoK Government plans to utilise communication channels with Vietnam, including the joint committee on the bilateral free trade agreement scheduled for next month, to minimise uncertainties for Korean firms operating in the Southeast Asian country.

The ministry said that Vietnam is the RoK’s third-largest trading partner, with 9,000 Korean companies currently operating in the country in industries including electronics, semiconductors, and textiles.

The RoK will continue to closely monitor the global trade environment and maintain active communication with industries to proactively address potential changes, the ministry added./. VNA