S. Korea, U.S. to continue consultations over Inflation Reduction Act

▲ South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun (R) poses for a photo with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai after holding talks in Washington on Sept. 7, 2022, in this photo provided by the trade ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-US-IRA

S. Korea, U.S. to continue consultations over Inflation Reduction Act

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States have agreed to continue close consultations to seek solutions regarding a new U.S. law that excludes electric vehicles assembled outside of North America from tax incentives, Seoul's trade ministry said Monday.

The consensus was reached during bilateral talks between Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai in Bangkok on Friday on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The IRA, signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden in August, gives up to US$7,500 in tax credits to buyers of EVs assembled only in North America, sparking concerns that Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. could lose ground in the U.S. market as the two South Korean carmakers assemble their EVs at domestic plants for export to the U.S.

"During the meeting, Ahn stressed deep concerns by our government and businesses, and called for devising detailed measures to practically ease the concerns at an early date," the ministry said in a release.

Seoul and Washington have been in talks over the issue through a working-level channel, as well as a series of high-level talks.

South Korea has strongly voiced the need to create exceptions for Korean-made EVs.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved