South Korea seeking extension to US 90-day tariff pause

South Korea is aiming to secure an extension of a 90-day pause in U.S. tariffs, which is set to expire on July 9, as ongoing trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington are unlikely to conclude before the deadline, a senior South Korean trade official said Monday.

The request comes after high-level trade talks between the two countries last week — the first such discussions under South Korea’s new administration — along with three rounds of working-level negotiations since late April, when both sides agreed to develop a trade package to avoid the reimposition of tariffs.

"It seems some countries will reach a deal by July 8, some might be granted an extension to continue negotiations, while others will decide if they want to continue negotiating under tariffs or not," the official told reporters.

South Korea is hoping to be among those granted extra time, with a decision expected from the U.S. on July 8, just one day before the pause expires.

Although South Korea already imposes almost zero tariffs on U.S. imports under the existing bilateral free trade agreement (KORUS FTA), the U.S. reportedly raised concerns about non-tariff barriers during last week's discussions. These could include regulatory, licensing, or standards-related obstacles that U.S. exporters say limit market access in South Korea.

The trade official noted that currency and defense burden-sharing issues—longstanding points of contention—are being addressed through separate diplomatic channels. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as part of a mutual defense arrangement, and former President Donald Trump has frequently criticized Seoul over its contribution to the cost of this deployment.

The outcome of the tariff extension request and broader trade negotiations will be key to shaping future economic ties between the two close allies, particularly as the U.S. continues a broader review of global tariff policies under the Trump administration.