The country’s new president, in office for a little over a month, had just dispatched his senior deputies to Washington to try to work out a trade deal.

South Korea said it will review regulations flagged by the US while pressing for an easing of sectoral tariffs after President Donald Trump sent a letter with a new August deadline for imposing 25% across-the-board levies.

By Jeff Mason, Bart H. Meijer and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump opened a new phase on Monday in the trade war he launched this year, telling partners, from powerhouse suppliers such as Japan and South Korea to minor players,