U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai [AP Yonhap News]

Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), hinted on the 17th (local time) that the scope of the 50% item-specific tariff imposed on foreign steel, aluminum, and their derivatives could be adjusted.

In an interview with CNBC that day, Ambassador Tai said, "Sometimes, for compliance purposes, there may be a need to adjust how some tariffs are applied."

She added, "Last week, I saw reports in some media outlets stating that companies had to hire additional staff for tariff compliance." "We are not trying to prevent people from operating their businesses properly by having them meticulously count beans," she said.

Ambassador Tai's remarks are interpreted as suggesting a policy adjustment, as companies are struggling with tariff calculations due to tariffs being imposed not only on steel or aluminum itself but also on the proportion of these metals contained in their derivatives.

Bloomberg News, in relation to Ambassador Tai's remarks, reported, "Trump administration officials have been trying to narrow the scope of tariffs that affect not only the metals themselves but also dozens of products containing the metals."

The news agency also quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying, "Companies have stated that tax calculations are difficult, and the European Union (EU) has requested restraint as part of ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States." "The White House has told companies that adjustments are being made, but the timing and details remain unclear," these sources said.

Ambassador Tai, however, stated that the policy of imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum has been "very successful, achieving record steel exports and announcing the construction of new steel production lines and aluminum smelters." "It's clear we are moving in the right direction. These (steel and aluminum tariffs) will be maintained," she said.

Previously, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin also said in an interview with CNBC on the 13th regarding the scope of some tariffs on steel and aluminum products, "We will have to see if there is some sort of reduction."

Secretary Mnuchin added, "As I understand it, if any action is taken, it will be a kind of clarification for some ancillary items," and "This is a presidential decision."