South Korea and Japan are stepping up last-minute diplomacy to head off new U.S. tariffs that could take effect on 1 August. Seoul’s national security adviser Wi Sung-lac travelled to Washington for the second time in less than two weeks, while newly appointed Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said talks with the United States are in a “critical phase” with all options open. Kim pledged an all-out effort to secure what he called the best outcome for national interests, amid concern that the Trump administration will raise levies on South Korean exports to 25% from the current 10%. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and other senior South Korean officials are also preparing visits to Washington, reflecting mounting pressure at home from agriculture and manufacturing groups worried about the impact of higher duties. Wi told local media his immediate goal is to shave several percentage points off the proposed tariff rate, while the government readies domestic support measures should negotiations fail. Tokyo faces a similar deadline. Prime Minister Ichiro Ishiba said he hopes to speak directly with President Donald Trump “at the earliest opportunity” and will work toward an agreement that safeguards Japanese interests. Ishiba reiterated that any accord must be fair to both countries as his government races to resolve outstanding issues before the same 1 August cutoff. The parallel pushes by Seoul and Tokyo underscore the broader regional effort to avert sweeping U.S. trade measures that could disrupt supply chains and slow already fragile economic recoveries. Washington has not publicly signalled willingness to delay or modify the tariffs, leaving less than two weeks for Asia’s two largest U.S. allies to secure concessions.