South Korean President Lee Jae-myung cast doubt on finalizing a trade agreement with the U.S. by July 8, a deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump for implementing “reciprocal tariffs.” Speaking at a press conference marking his first month in office, Lee called the negotiations “complex” and admitted it’s “difficult to predict” if a deal will be reached in time. 🗣️💼
While emphasizing his government’s efforts to secure a “mutually beneficial outcome,” Lee noted that key demands from both sides remain unresolved. “Even my words could affect the talks,” he said, hinting at the sensitivity of the discussions. 🤐⚖️
On foreign policy, Lee stressed a focus on “national interests-centered pragmatic diplomacy,” balancing a strong alliance with the U.S., closer ties with Japan, and improved relations with China and Russia. 🌏🤝
