South Korea expressed disappointment with Canada’s recent decision to impose 25 percent tariffs on imported steel derivatives.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said Monday that Vice Trade Minister Park Jung-sung had met the same day with Alexandra Dostal, a senior assistant deputy minister at Canada's Innovation, Science and Economic Development department, who is visiting Seoul. 

During the meeting, Park took issue with Canada’s steel protection measures and requested their prompt withdrawal.

Last week, Canada announced plans to impose a global 25 percent tariff on imported steel derivatives and to reduce tariff rate quotas on steel from 100 percent to 75 percent of 2024 levels for free trade agreement partners, including South Korea.

Park emphasized that Canada’s measures could violate trade law, run counter to the rules-based trading system symbolized by the World Trade Organization and the spirit of the Ottawa Group, led by Canada.

He also warned that the measures could seriously affect South Korean companies investing or planning to invest in Canada and requested careful attention to ensure that these actions do not undermine the potential for expanded economic and strategic cooperation between the two nations.