The meetings, which took place from Feb. 26 to 28, included talks with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to a ministry statement released on Saturday.
During the discussions, Minister Ahn conveyed South Korea's position regarding U.S. tariff plans and explored avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation amid leadership vacuum following the martial law crisis.
The two countries agreed to establish working-level consultative bodies focused on tariff measures and shipbuilding cooperation, with South Korea aiming to ensure maximum consideration for its business interests in future negotiations.
Minister Ahn emphasized South Korea's commitment to addressing American trade deficit concerns by increasing imports of U.S. gas and crude oil, while also highlighting potential future investments by Korean companies in the American market.
Particularly noteworthy was the progress made on shipbuilding cooperation, an area of personal interest to President Trump, with Minister Ahn announcing South Korea's readiness to form a government-wide task force to systematically prepare for public-private collaboration.
The South Korean delegation also met with Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who introduced the "Ships for America Act" aimed at strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry, as well as leaders from influential think tanks.
The Trump administration is currently conducting a comprehensive review of U.S. trade policies, due to be completed by Apr. 1, leaving out specific details about potential tariffs on South Korean goods unspecified during the talks.
"With this visit to the United States, I believe we have laid the cornerstone for strengthened cooperation with the new cabinet of the U.S. government," said Minister Ahn, adding that South Korea would respond systematically to forthcoming U.S. industrial, trade and energy policies.
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