A senior official of the Seoul trade ministry told reporters on Friday that the U.S. demanded South Korea to join its efforts in trade negotiations with China to limit China's influence. The countries are currently discussing cooperation in shipbuilding.

Chang Sung Gil, Director of Trade Policy, said that the U.S. wants Seoul to "join measures" to limit China's influence in "other areas", as a "precondition" to bilateral cooperation on shipbuilding.

Chang, a member of the House of Representatives, said that "the United States is feeling a sense crisis" because China's share in shipbuilding is increasing. He added that Korea is a strategic partner.

Chang stated that the U.S. also had reservations about reducing or eliminating tariffs on specific industries, such as automobiles and steel.

He said that the United States wants Seoul to increase U.S. investment and purchases of U.S. agriculture and energy products in exchange for negotiations over reciprocal 25% tariffs. However, "there's a lot political sensitivity when it comes to expanding agricultural imports in South Korea."

(source: Reuters)