South Korea has delivered its opposition to the United States' move to impose tariffs on imported autos through various channels as part of efforts to minimize the fallout for the local automotive industry, Seoul's trade ministry said Sunday.

Paik Un-gyu, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited Washington D.C. from June 27-29 to meet U.S. policymakers and business leaders and shared concerns over the Donald Trump administration's proposed tariffs on foreign autos, his office said.

The policymaker met with Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama and Sen. Johnny Isakson from Georgia as well as Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, along with other policymakers.

Hyundai Motor Co. and its subsidiary Kia Motor Inc. run factories in Alabama and Georgia, respectively, employing local workers and doing business with local parts makers.

"Paik expressed concerns that the proposed auto tariffs could undermine the mutually beneficial trade environment created under the free trade agreement implemented by South Korea and the U.S.," the ministry said in a release. "He also asked for support from American politicians and business leaders, noting Seoul accepted the U.S. concerns in the auto sector in the revised FTA, which was agreed in principle on March 28." (Yonhap)

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