Overcoming the 'Tariff Wave'... KOTRA Launches Field-Oriented Support System

New “Tariff Response 119 Plus” Support Services for Companies
Government-Wide Collaboration System Involving the Ministry, KOTRA, and Related Agencies

The government, public institutions, and companies are joining forces to address U.S. tariff issues together.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on September 22 that they will launch a “field-oriented support system” to comprehensively respond to U.S. tariff measures. Events such as the “Steel Derivatives Company Support Meeting,” the “Tariff Response Briefing,” and the “One-on-One Customized Tariff Consultation,” held at KOTRA headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the same day, were organized to listen to the difficulties faced by the steel derivatives industry due to U.S. tariff policies and to seek government-wide solutions.

Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Headquarters, Seocho-gu, Seoul. KOTRA

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan met with representatives from eight small and medium-sized companies in the industry to hear their opinions directly. The companies discussed specific cases, including the burden of high tariffs, the decline in price competitiveness of products sourced or produced at domestic and overseas factories, and demands from U.S. business partners to share tariff costs. KOTRA President Kang Kyungseong and others were also present to discuss these issues together.

At the event, KOTRA announced the upgraded “Tariff Response 119 Plus” program. This elevates the existing consultation channel run by the Ministry and KOTRA to a government-wide collaborative system involving related agencies.

Additionally, new support services have been added, including assistance with submitting export companies’ tariff-related grievances to U.S. authorities, consulting for applications to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s E-ruling system, support in responding to post-verification document requests from U.S. Customs, and assistance in calculating steel content value. A system to reflect companies’ suggestions in policy improvements will also be established.

Minister Kim Jeonggwan stated, “It is most important that companies can easily understand and feel the impact of government policies,” adding, “We will fully support our companies by reflecting today’s feedback in our policies so that we can overcome the challenges posed by steep tariffs.”

KOTRA President Kang Kyungseong emphasized, “KOTRA will collaborate with related agencies to deliver the voices of companies to the government and ensure they are properly reflected in policy. In addition to serving as a guardian who listens to and resolves challenges at the export frontlines, we will become a solid stepping stone for our companies to expand into global markets.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.