The South Korean government held an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss measures to respond to a U.S. plan to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports.  

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Paik Un-gyu presided over the meeting, attended by high-level ministry officials.  

The ministry said that the government will engage in broad outreach efforts up until the U.S. government makes an official announcement on the move. 

It said Minister for Trade Kim Hyun-chong is currently visiting the U.S. and meeting with politicians, businesspeople and government officials to strongly demand that the U.S. adopt measures which would minimize damage to South Korean companies. 

A ministry official said that the 25 percent tariff is expected to severely harm South Korean steel exporters, adding the government will consult with the domestic industry to produce specific countermeasures after the U.S. issues its final announcement on the tariff.