US calls for resolution of non-tariff barrier issues in latest trade consultation with S. Korea: sources
In last week's working-level consultations, Washington urged Seoul to handle non-trade barrier issues listed on the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers issued by the office of the US Trade Representative in March, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The NTE report had touched on a wide range of Korea's non-tariff measures, including its import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, South Korea's "offset" defense trade policy, emission-related regulations on imported cars and pricing policies for pharmaceuticals.
The two countries held their second round of "technical discussions" in Washington last week as agreed in a meeting between South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and USTR Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers' meeting held on South Korea's southern island of Jeju earlier this month.
South Korea has been seeking to gain a full exemption or reduction of the Trump administration's 25 percent reciprocal tariffs for the country, as well as sectoral tariffs on steel, automobile and other imports.
"Among the list of requests from the US, there are some things that can be resolved by easing regulations, but there are also matters concerning market access, which require necessary procedures under the trade treaty procedure act," a senior trade official said on the condition of anonymity, apparently referring to Seoul's beef imports and high tariffs on imported rice.
South Korea imposes a 513 percent tariff on rice imports, but implements a 5 percent tariff rate quota for up to 132,304 tons of yearly rice imports from the US.
The Korean delegation is said to have explained such issues can be dealt with in accordance with procedures under the trade treaty law, such as a parliamentary report.
The delegation also told the USTR that South Korea has been looking into Google's request to transfer the country's high-precision map data and approved the cultivation of US-grown living modified organism potatoes as part of efforts to resolve the non-tariff barrier issues, according to the sources.
The government plans to leave the decision of sensitive trade issues to the next government as the country is set to hold its presidential election next Tuesday. (Yonhap)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Seoul welcomes ceasefire between Thailand, Cambodia
South Korea's foreign ministry on Tuesday welcomed a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, expecting the border conflict to be peacefully resolved. Since lasy Thursday, the deadly border clashes between the two countries had killed at least 35 soldiers, injured over 140 people and displaced some 260,000. Supported by Malaysia and the United States, the two reached a truce agreement earlier in the day. "The South Korean government highly evaluates diplomatic efforts by related countries, such as the United States and Malaysia, to reach a truce agreement," the ministry said.
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
LG Innotek Teams Up with U.S. LiDAR Company Aeva in Preparation to Preempt the Market
SEOUL, South Korea, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek has teamed up with Aeva, an American company specializing in LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) technology, to preempt the LiDAR market. LG Innotek announced on July 29, 2025, the signing of a strategic partnership outlining the strategic supply and joint development of next-generation LiDAR technology. Aeva developed the world's first 4D LiDAR based on the frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology, which offers advanced long-range object-sensing capabilities. A leader in LiDAR technology, Aeva has gained prominence in the autonomous driving market. It has been producing 4D LiDAR since 2022 and currently counts major automakers such as Daimler Truck among its customers. LG Innotek's partnership with Aeva, which will result in a strategic collaboration and LiDAR supply agreement, will put the company's LiDAR business on track and give it a competitive edge in taking the lead of the blossoming LiDAR market. According to the industry, global LiDAR market is expected to grow from USD 2.4 billion in 2024 to USD 15.4 billion, at least at an average annual growth rate of 36% through 2030. The first product that LG Innotek will manufacture and supply to Aeva is an ultra-slim, ultra-long-range FMCW LiDAR module that can detect objects up to 500 meters away. This product is based on FMCW, which is considered the most advanced technology in the LiDAR industry, and accurately measures not only the distance but also the speed of moving objects, unlike conventional time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR. Compared to conventional LiDAR, which is typically mounted on the roof of a vehicle, this product offers automotive customers greater design freedom as it was developed to be mounted behind the front windshield of the vehicle. To achieve this, the size of the LiDAR module was reduced by 44% compared to existing LiDAR products. The LiDAR module LG Innotek supplies will be combined with Aeva's own software as a solution to be supplied to OEM car makers. As part of the strategic partnership, LG Innotek and Aeva have also signed a joint development agreement (JDA) for next-generation LiDAR. Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop by the end of 2027, FMCW LiDAR for autonomous driving car, for a wide range of mobility applications including robots, robo-taxis, and also for industrial automation. For its strategic and continued collaboration with Aeva, LG Innotek is planning to invest up to approximately USD 50 million in LiDAR business, including the anticipated acquisition of 6.0% stake in Aeva's total equity. Soroush SALEHIAN, CEO of Aeva said, "Our joint strategic collaboration underscores the growing recognition of FMCW as the future of sensing and perception technology. Together with LG Innotek, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring Aeva's perception platform to a wide range of applications — wherever machines need to perceive and understand their surroundings." Hyuksoo MOON, CEO of LG Innotek said, "The ultimate goal of this partnership is for LG Innotek and Aeva to grow together as key players leading the next-generation LiDAR market through a long-term technology partnership that goes beyond the supply of products." He went on to add, "Starting with this collaboration with Aeva, LG Innotek will continue to expand its LiDAR product lineup, which delivers differentiated customer value, and further solidify its position in the global market as a total mobility solution provider for the future." LG Innotek will participate in 'Aeva Day' event held in New York on July 31(EDT), to announce the roadmap for its strategic partnership with Aeva. The event will be attended by key executives from both companies. For LG Innotek, these include CEO Hyuksoo MOON; CTO and Executive Vice President S. David ROH; and John MIN, senior vice president and head of the LiDAR Business Division. For Aeva Technologies, there will be Co-founders CEO Soroush SALEHIAN and CTO Mina REZK, along with around 100 participants from the global automotive and electronic components industries and investors. CEO MOON will participate as the keynote speaker at the event. Additionally, a fireside chat will follow with CTOs from both companies to discuss the significance of the partnership, technical collaboration and strategies for maximizing synergy between the two companies. [Terminology] Frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW): FMCW technology continuously emits laser signals to precisely measure the distance and size of objects. In addition, by leveraging the Doppler effect, it can also accurately detect the speed and direction of moving objects. Compared to conventional ToF LiDAR technology, it is more resistant to light interference and performs better in harsh weather conditions, leading to an increasing number of autonomous driving companies adopting it.
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
LG Innotek partners with US' Aeva for LiDAR development
LG Innotek Co., an electronic component manufacturing unit of LG Group, said Tuesday it has formed a strategic partnership with US software company Aeva Technologies Inc. to collaborate in the laser imaging, detection and ranging sector. Under the agreement, LG Innotek will provide next-generation frequency modulated continuous wave LiDAR modules to Aeva, which will be integrated into Aeva's LiDAR solutions for global automakers, according to the Korean company. "This long-term technology partnership aims to help LG Innotek and Aeva grow into leading players in the next-generation LiDAR market," Moon Hyuk-soo, chief executive officer of LG Innotek, said. LiDAR, key technology for autonomous driving, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure distances and velocities by calculating the time it takes for the reflected light to return to the sensor. Aeva, based in California, specializes in sensing hardware and perception software, including LiDAR. Its 4D LiDAR, using FMCW technology to detect 3D position and instant velocity for every point simultaneously, has drawn attention from the global autonomous vehicle industry. As part of the partnership, LG Innotek and Aeva have also signed a joint development agreement to co-develop next-generation FMCW LiDAR technologies for autonomous vehicles and robotics by 2027. LG Innotek plans to invest $50 million in the LiDAR business, which will include its acquisition of a 6 percent stake in Aeva. The global LiDAR market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 36 percent, reaching $15.4 billion by 2030 from $2.4 billion in 2024, according to industry data. (Yonhap)
