South Korean officials have requested an exemption from U.S. reciprocal, steel and aluminium tariffs during their visit this week to Washington, the industry ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Automakers such as General Motors and South Korea-based Hyundai Motor export vehicles tariff-free from South Korea.

During a meeting with Republican governors on Feb. 20, broadcast by NBC News, Donald Trump discussed the BRICS nations’ plans to create a new currency and potentially use the yuan. Trump said, "The first thing I said was: any BRICS country that mentions the destruction of the dollar will be subject to 150% tariffs.

South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday said the government would seek talks with the U.S. administration on the tariffs Washington is imposing to reflect the interests of domestic companies.