"United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today, as directed by President [Donald] Trump, formally notified the Republic of Korea that the United States is calling a special Joint Committee meeting under the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) to start the process of negotiating to remove barriers to US trade and consider needed amendments to the agreement," the Office of the United States Trade Representative said.
President Donald Trump has stated he wants to reduce the US trade deficit with South Korea. From 2011 to 2016, the US trade deficit with South Korea more than doubled, rising from $13.2 billion to $27.6 billion.
Lighthizer called for the Joint Committee meeting to be held in Washington, DC next month, on a date to be agreed upon by the parties, the statement said.
The Joint Committee is co-chaired by the US Trade Representative and South Korea's Minister of Trade.
US exports to South Korea have fallen 2.7 percent from $43.5 billion in 2011 to $42.3 billion last year.
