ISTANBUL

South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok Tuesday said Seoul will pursue talks with Washington over US President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Assuring support to local companies, Choi said Seoul will also follow trends in countries experiencing similar tariffs, including Japan, as well as the EU, Yonhap News reported.

South Korea’s exports account for around 11% of Washington's steel imports and the new tariffs announced by Trump will become effective on March 12.

“We will continue to support civilian-level contact with the US in addition to diplomatic and security lines of communication, and expand contact points with the new US administration,” he said.

The Trade, Industry and Energy Ministry held an emergency meeting on new tariffs, and said it was “closely communicating with local businesses and industry leaders to devise ways to minimize” the impact from the new US tariffs.

Separately, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Trump “agreed” to consider exempting Canberra from steel and aluminum tariffs.