As its trade negotiators headed to Washington for talks, South Korea announced measures to support the country’s carmakers who were badly hit by the levies announced by President Trump.

South Korea welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to pause for 90 days some of the tariffs that hit dozens of US trade partners as it seeks to cut a trade deal with the US to lower the levies imposed on the Asian export powerhouse.

South Korea's top trade envoy Cheong In-kyo said on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff reprieve had provided room for negotiations, as the country seeks to reduce tariffs through talks.