Washington, March 5
US President Donald Trump has claimed that South Korea's average tariff is four times higher than the United States' although America has helped the Asian ally militarily and in "so many other ways."
Trump made the remarks in his first address to a joint session of Congress since he took office in January, as his administration is set to impose "reciprocal" tariffs on U.S. imports that are to be pegged to trading partners' tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
"Countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It's very unfair. India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 percent. China's average tariff on our products is twice, but we charge them," the president said, reports news agency.
"South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that four times higher, and we give so much help militarily and so many other ways to South Korea. But that's what happens. This is happening by friend and foe," he added.
He also said that South Korea and other countries hope to participate in a natural gas pipeline project in the U.S.
"My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where Japan, South Korea, and other nations want to be our partner -- with trillions of dollars being spent by them. It will truly be spectacular," he said.